Wolves’ key player has been ruled out as injuries hit ahead of Coventry City clash
Coventry City opposition injury news from CoventryLive, as we look at Wolves’ mounting injury concerns ahead of the weekend’s important FA Cup meeting.
Wolves will be without two more crucial players, including star man Pedro Neto, for this weekend’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Coventry City.
The Portugal international forward was pulled off at halftime in Saturday’s 2-1 home win against Fulham due to a suspected hamstring injury, while crucial midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde suffered a knee injury within the first ten minutes. Both were scheduled to have scans this week to determine the extent of their injuries.
Wolves now have Pablo Sarabia as their only senior forward, with Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha also out ahead of the huge cup meeting with Championship Sky Blues.
“Bellegarde’s knee will be scanned,” Gary O’Neil stated of the 25-year-old Frenchman.
“Pedro’s injury was to his hamstring, but I’m not sure how severe it was. It’s difficult for the medical team. They come and speak with me, and then I come and tell you what they think, but there will be a lot of work to do.”
Neto had been substituted at halftime against Newcastle the previous week due to a tight hamstring in his left leg, but he was pronounced fit to face Fulham before suffering the same injury. O’Neil told the Express & Star: “He had a really excellent week. He had a scan that showed no muscular injury, and he felt great when training.
“I’m very disappointed.” It ultimately becomes clear to me whether or not the decision to play him was correct, and I must accept it. I am devastated for Pedro. He’s worked extremely hard to come back. We’re hopeful, and the medical team doesn’t believe it’s anything like his first one, but there will be a scan, and we’ll proceed from there.”
Earlier this season, the 24-year-old missed eight weeks due to a hamstring injury on his right leg.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, a young utility player, is expected to play more prominently in the coming weeks as the club’s attacking department is decimated by injuries. Ait-Nouri played left-back, left wing-back, striker, and right wing for an excellent 90 minutes against Fulham.
“He’s very important,” O’Neil stated about the 22-year-old. “I’ve been able to employ him in a variety of roles. He can play in midfield as a 10 on either the right or left side. We deployed Mario as a second nine and left winger, so we’ll need all of the boys. Everyone understands their roles, and we’ll need them to give their all in whatever position they find themselves in.
