Gary O’Neil has provided an update on Pedro Neto and Jean Ricner-Bellegarde after Wolves’ win over Fulham.
Gary O’Neil praised the incredible effort of his players after Wolves secured a 2-1 victory over Fulham this afternoon.
The 40-year-old would have called for a response from his players after watching them lose 3-0 to Newcastle and he certainly got one as Rayan Ait-Nouri starred in numerous positions while Joao Gomes impressed on his return.
In recent weeks, the biggest talking points at Molineux have come from the injury department as Matheus Cunha and Hwang-Hee-Chan continue to work their way back to full fitness.
Meanwhile, in last weekend’s defeat against the Magpies, Pedro Neto came off at half-time with a tight hamstring.
The Portuguese attacker was taken off as a precaution and was deemed fit enough to start today, however, that proved to be a costly decision.
Neto was forced off the field with a hamstring injury, similar to the one he sustained earlier in the season, while Jean-Ricner Bellegarde went down with a knee complaint in the opening 10 minutes.
This has left O’Neil with just Pablo Sarabia as his remaining senior forward and he’s now supplied an update on the duo after the game.
Gary O’Neil supplies Pedro Neto and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde injury update
Speaking after the match, O’Neil reveals that both players will need to go for a scan to determine the extent of their injuries, but he hopes they aren’t too serious.
“Bellegarde’s is his knee and it will be a scan,” O’Neil said.
“Pedro’s was his hamstring but I’m not sure the extent of it.
“It’s hard for the medical team. They come and speak to me and then I come and tell you what they think, but there’s a lot of work that will need to be done.
“He (Neto) had a really good week. He had a scan that was completely clear with no muscle damage at all and he felt really good in training.
“I’m really disappointed. It lands on me eventually whether the decision to play him was right or not, so one that I have to accept.
“I’m devastated for Pedro. He’s worked so hard to get back
“We’re hopeful and the medical team don’t think it’s anything like his first one, but there will be a scan and we’ll get the results and go from there.”
Wolves made to pay for not signing a striker
Wolves can put their dire situation of having just one senior forward to choose from as bad luck.
The fact that all of Cunha, Hwang, Neto and Bellegarde are injured at the same time is highly unfortunate and the Wolves boss will be cursing his luck.
However, perhaps the club are now regretting not signing a striker in the transfer window, even if it was just a temporary solution to their problem.
Several were linked with a move to Molineux in January but they were unable to get any deal over the line despite their best attempts.
In the summer O’Neil must invest in a new forward, especially if Neto departs, though looking at his injury record, clubs may be put off signing him.