Dave Challinor ‘extends’ Kyle Wooton’s career ‘by five years’ as Stockport County striker turns CB

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Kyle Wootton moved to centre-back defensive injuries Stockport County

Stockport County manager Dave Challinor has quipped that he might have just extended star striker Kyle Wootton’s career “by five years” at the very least by moving him to centre-back.

Challinor‘s squad has been riddled with a fair few fitness setbacks for a good chunk of the season, but following Joseph Olowu’s MCL injury, he has now been left with just one traditional central defender available for selection.

As a result of this growing crisis, Wootton has been moved to centre-half for the time being, making his full debut in defence earlier this week.

Better still, he helped shore up County’s backline well enough to secure them not only three more important points but a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.

Naturally, with the Hatters having one of League One‘s leading scorers in Wootton with a total of 22 contributions so far (19 goals and three assists), it’s fair to say no one was expecting to see him pulled out of the position in which he’s reached new heights this term.

Already putting together his most productive campaign ever – netting more finishes across all competitions in 2025/26 than in any of his previous professional calendar performances – fans will no doubt be wanting him to return up top as soon as possible, but for now, Challinor is taking the gamble.

There is the possibility of January signing from Bolton, Josh Dacres-Cogley, taking up the mantle when he returns from injury, and County have since recalled youth product Christy Grogan from his loan, but for now, the 6’3″ centre-forward may have just discovered another option for the future of his career.

Nevertheless, despite the 29-year-old striker expressing some of his own concerns about playing such a crucial role at the other end of the pitch, his gaffer has already said he’s happy to flak should anything go awry in the coming weeks.

However, although County were unable to win the EFL Vertu Trophy Final against Luton earlier this month, where Wootton first had to drop back into defence, he met the assignment when making his maiden defensive appearance on Wednesday night.

While obviously not ideal, the travelling Stockport supporters were left pretty impressed, too.

Commenting on ‘Woots’ even showing a willingness to take on the task in the first place, his head coach labelled him “the most selfless player I’ve worked with in terms of doing jobs for the team.”

A glowing review, indeed, and that’s beyond the huge impact he’s already had in attack over the year.

Speaking to County TV, he went on to say: “We’ve probably extended his career by five years, haven’t we? […] When he gets tired of sticking the ball in the net, he can stop people at the other end.”

Noting that his side currently possesses “more fit forwards than defenders, he added: “It becomes about finding a way. I didn’t think that way would be having our leading goalscorer at centre-back, but it’s worked for us on the night, and we’ll see what Saturday [at Exeter City] looks like.”

You can hear Dave Challinor’s post-match interview in full right HERE and see the highlights from an important win over Wimbledon down below.

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Featured Images — Stockport County (screenshots via YouTube)

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