Several first-team stars will return to Compton this week as Wolves prepare to take on Fulham in the Premier League.
Wolves entered the international break with a spring in their step after recording their first Premier League win of the season.
Gary O’Neil’s men clinched a 2-0 victory over Southampton to move off the bottom of the table and to within two points of safety.
O’Neil has since had many first-team players away with their countries, including Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo and even Fabio Silva, who earned his first Portugal call-up.
But the Wolves boss would have feared the worst when one of his key defenders suffered an injury during the break and is now a doubt for the trip to Fulham.
- READ MORE: How Jose Sa and Nelson Semedo got on for Portugal against Croatia with Fabio Silva also making debut
Dave Edwards concerned by Santi Bueno’s injury
It was reported last week that centre-back Bueno was nursing a groin injury and missed Uruguay’s clash against Colombia as a result.
Now, Bueno has withdrawn from Uruguay’s squad at Wolves request, with the 26-year-old playing a huge part in O’Neil’s back three since the loss to Manchester City.
Bueno has stepped up in the absence of Yerson Mosquera and started to finally show his best form however, Dave Edwards believes this update is a ‘real concern’ for O’Neil after praising his recent performances.
The former Wolves star wrote in his column for E&S: “That won’t be helped by the injury picked up by Santi Bueno on international duty. It was a real concern when that news came through.
“He is building a really good partnership with Craig Dawson – he is looking very good on the ball. I think he’s really come to the fore this season.
“Obviously, with the other injuries, it’s been a delight to see he has taken his opportunity so well. If he is missing on Saturday, we don’t know the extent of his injury or how long he might be out for, we are just hoping it’s just more precautionary and he is available.”
Bueno’s impact at Wolves in numbers
Wolves were in dire straits at the beginning of the campaign, conceding 21 goals in their opening seven matches, including the six-goal hammering at the hands of Chelsea.
Since Bueno made only his second start of the season in the loss to Manchester City, the Old Gold have looked more solid at the back, shipping just four goals in three matches.
| Bueno PL minutes before Man City clash | Bueno PL minutes for Wolves after Man City clash |
| 85 | 360 |
The Uruguayan played a huge role in that upturn in form, as the former Girona defender was beginning to form a solid partnership with Craig Dawson and Toti Gomes.
In the Premier League this term, Bueno has averaged 1.5 tackles, recovered two balls and made 3.2 clearances, as per Sofascore.
With Wolves short on numbers in defence, O’Neil can ill-afford this injury to be serious, as it could force him to play youngster Alfie Pond against Fulham or switch to a four-man defence.