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Wolves may have been bottom for most of the season - but they are rivalling big clubs in…

Wolves may have been bottom of the Premier League for most of the season - but they are performing a lot better in another table.

Under Vitor Pereira and now Rob Edwards - Wolves have been destined for the drop down to the Championship for some time.

However, form has turned around in recent weeks and they are still clinging on to the small hope of a miraculous recovery.

But despite sitting bottom of the Premier League - they are way up in the standings on another table.

It counts for absolutely nothing in terms of silverware and finances - but it is a table that will be welcomed by supporters.

Across the Premier League this season, clubs have handed minutes to 61 academy graduates, with only two clubs in Burnley and Bournemouth failing to play youngsters from their ranks.

Despite heavy spending by big clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea - they have handed more minutes than anyone to players who have graduated through their academy systems.

Mane during Wolves’ last clash with Brentford (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)placeholder image

Mane during Wolves’ last clash with Brentford (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

In third place is Brighton - who have used youngsters this season.

And sitting behind them in fourth currently, is Wolves.

Across the course of the season Wolves have had three academy players feature in their first team.

One is Tawanda Chirewa, who signed for the club’s academy from Ipswich Town.

He made two appearances off the bench, one in the defeat at Aston Villa and another in the 3-0 victory over West Ham earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Tom Edozie’s short cameo off the bench will be remembered for some time by Wolves fans - as he scored an equaliser minutes after arriving off the bench against Arsenal.

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But the majority of those minutes are made up by Mateus Mane - who has had a huge breakthrough season at Molineux.

Having been part of the set up for most of the season - he made his way into the starting line-up over the festive period and has not looked back.

He has scored twice in 23 appearances for Wolves this season - with the majority of his outings since the turn of the year coming as a starter.

His form has seen him the subject of reports linking him with a move in the summer - while he has also been called up to the Portugal under 21 set up for the first time.

Man City, Man United, Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham are among the clubs playing the most academy youngsters - with City leading the way with seven.

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