Gary O’Neil has provided an update to Wolves duo Pedro Neto and Rayan Ait-Nouri ahead of their away trip to Arsenal on Saturday.
Wolves face another tough test in the capital as they look to bounce back from Monday night’s 3-2 defeat.
The task will no doubt be challenging with Arsenal sitting top of the Premier League. The suspensions of Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina only solidify this.
With Neto and Ait-Nouri out on the sidelines, O’Neil provided an update on the duo before Saturday’s game.
Pedro Neto injury latest
The winger has been out since Wolves’ 2-2 draw against Newcastle.
There were hopes that he would be back for the Fulham tie but after the international break, this wasn’t seen as possible.
However, since then, O’Neil can now offer a positive development in his potential return to the matchday squad.
“Pedro [Neto] is back on the grass and doing some running with the fitness guys,” he told Wolves. “It’s going well, progressing well, but won’t play again this Saturday but we’re hopeful to get him back in with the group fairly soon. There’s no real date set on it because it depends how well today went on the grass, how well he goes tomorrow and how well he goes on Sunday.
“There’s lots of things for him to check off, but we’re getting closer. I don’t know how many weeks it’s been since he last played, but you can tell Pedro’s getting excited with the work he’s doing and how he feels, but then it’s our job to make sure we protect him and get him back in a state where he’s ready to go again.”
Expected return: Nottingham Forest, (December 9)
Rayan Ait-Nouri injury latest
The full-back has been on fine form for Wolves so far this season.
The Algerian almost left Wolves in the summer but has now established himself back into the starting XI.
His form has seen other clubs ignite interest in Ait-Nouri with Chelsea rumoured to be scouting him.
However, after an injury forced him off against Fulham on Monday O’Neil confirmed that he would have no part to play against Arsenal.
“Rayan [Ait-Nouri] rolled his ankle, so we’re hoping it’s not too serious, he added. “It’s one of them where you can carry on with once the pain and the early stuff settles down, but depending on how painful it is, it could drag on a little bit longer than we would hope.
“It’s dependant on Rayan and how quickly he can recover from it, how soon he feels he can perform at his maximum and that won’t be tomorrow. He’ll miss tomorrow and we’re hopeful he can play a big part next week because he’s been important to us so far.’
Expected return: Nottingham Forest (December 9)
Joe Hodge injury latest
The midfielder is still out for Saturday’s game.
Hodge is getting closer to returning after his shoulder injury.
However, Arsenal is set to come too quickly for the youngster as he looks to return to full fitness.
Expected return: Unknown
Nathan Fraser injury latest
The young striker won’t be available for Arsenal.
The 18-year-old is very close to returning and may be back on the bench next week.
“It might be too early for Nathan (to play tomorrow at Arsenal),” O’Neil told the Express and Star.
“There’s a decision to be made on him. He’s only trained a couple of days and we decided the under-21s game the other day was too early for him.
“We’ve pencilled in next Wednesday’s under-21s game for him to make his return.”
Expected return: Nottingham Forest (December 9)