Zimbabwean midfielder Tawanda Chirewa is edging closer to a return to English Premier League action after interim Wolverhampton Wanderers boss James Collins publicly backed him for senior football involvement.
Chirewa, who has been turning out for the Wolves U21 side since completing his loan stint at Huddersfield Town, has impressed Collins — who doubles as U21 coach — with his form and consistency this season.
Speaking ahead of Wolves’ weekend clash with Chelsea, Collins revealed that several young players could be integrated into the senior squad, with Chirewa among those on standby for selection.
“We might get a couple of the young boys from my group around the squad. It’s never easy to throw kids in when results aren’t going your way, but I know them, I trust them,” said Collins. “Tawanda Chirewa, Mateus Mane and Enzo Gonzalez have all been excellent. They’re capable of Premier League football — you just won’t know until they get that chance.”
The coach added that the 22-year-old is “not far off” from regular first-team involvement and predicted that whether under his leadership or the incoming permanent manager, Chirewa will “add real value to the club.”
Chirewa was part of the matchday squad in the recent Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea and previously made eight Premier League appearances during the tail end of the 2023/24 season — all as a substitute.
With Collins’ ringing endorsement and Wolves currently assessing options to refresh their midfield, the Zimbabwe international could soon find himself back under the top-flight spotlight.