Batth making the most of loan move

The 19-year-old from Brierley Hill, who is with Colchester for the season, has already emerged as something of a lucky talisman on loan, winning six and drawing two of the nine games he has played for the Us.

The 6ft 3ins stopper, who signed professional forms at Molineux last season, made his senior debut in a 2-0 home win over Hartlepool and hasn't looked back since.

That victory was one of five clean sheet successes, with wins against Charlton, Huddersfield and Leyton Orient to help the Us to fourth place in League One, plus a 4-0 romp at Bromley on his FA Cup debut, while the teenager was also part of a 2-1 win against Walsall.

He said: "It's been going well and I've really enjoyed it. We've had some good results and are now fourth in the table in what is a very tight league. I think there's only a one point gap to second.

"At the same time I know I'm spending the season with Colchester which gives me something to aim for, in terms of trying to help the team get promoted from what is a hard league.

"I was thrown straight into the team against Hartlepool after a couple of days training which was good. It was the right time for me to go out on loan. The experience is so important."

Batth started the season in Wolves reserves, but admits there is no comparison to graduating into first team football.

He said: "Moving up from reserve team football it's a lot more results-based and everything is about getting the three points on a Saturday. There's more of a buzz to be involved in a first team set-up and knowing there are points up for grabs every week.

"Being able to keep my place in the team has got me into the routine of first team football and I'm coming up against players that have been there and done it. That can only help my development.

"It's good to be at a club pushing hard in the league as well, while I managed to get my FA Cup debut at Bromley which we won."

Batth isn't short of West Midlands connections in Essex, where former Albion youth team coach Aidy Boothroyd is manager, assisted by ex-Wolves and Villa No 2 John Ward.

There's a couple of Colchester players with local connections to, with one-time Wolves trainee Ashley Vincent and Wolverhampton-born ex-Walsall striker Clive Platt among his team-mates. There will be more familiar faces to look forward to as well, with several past and present Wolves team-mates in opposition on the horizon.

MK Dons – managed by Paul Ince and with Batth's former reserve team mates Stephen Gleeson and Lewis Gobern in the ranks - are the visitors to the Weston Homes Community Stadium on New Year's Day, while leaders Leeds - where Sam Vokes is on loan - host Colchester on January 30.

Batth said: "John Ward is number two there, so there's another Wolves connection and he's helping me as well. The manager is very experienced and has been at a high level. H's very specific in terms of how to play and how we should defend, so it's all a good learning process.

"It's gone really well so far but I'm not getting carried away. It's a case of taking one game at a time, enjoying the experience and seeing where it takes me."

Batth's ties with Wolves continue as development coach Steve Weaver has been to Essex to watch him train and play, while the player still trains with Wolves once a week.

He added: "It's good to know Wolves are keeping track of how I'm doing and I come back to train here on Mondays as well. That keeps my links with the place going."