Thomas Butler back in action

Thomas Butler, who left Sunderland in undisclosed circumstances, has resurfaced this week - with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Thomas has been on a trial with Wolves this week and put in 85 minutes for their reserves last night, in a 1-0 defeat at home to Man Utd reserves; after a long run down the right wing; he only narrowly failed to get on the end of a cross from winger Lewis Gobern to put the Molineux side 1-0 up early in the game.

Butler's last competitive game for Sunderland was against Nottingham Forest in January. Although speculation was rife about his failure to feature for the club, it took until July for a statement to be issued when it was confirmed that the player had left Sunderland and that legal moves were in progress to finalise the terms of Butler's release from his contract.

It's understood that he is free to go to other clubs on trial, but is unable to actually sign with anyone else until the terms of his release from Sunderland have been concluded.