Nine Wolves players have been called up to international duty for the second break of the season. Here is every Old Gold star involved and what fixtures they could feature in.
The international break has arguably come at a good time for Wolves. As it stands, the Old Gold are bottom of the Premier League with just one point from their first seven games.
Saturday’s 5-3 defeat against Brentford was described by Gary O’Neil as ‘awful’, with many fans wanting to see the Wolves manager sacked.
Despite this, Jeff Shi seems to be sticking by the Englishman, with this two-week break the perfect time for him to reassess his tactics.
For many of the players, they will also experience a new environment as they look to return to form.
With several players now on international duty, Molineux News has listed each one and what fixtures they will participate in as the Nations League, World Cup qualifiers and the African Cup of Nations qualifiers get underway once more.
Mario Lemina – Gabon
- Lesotho (Friday, October 11)
- Lesotho (Tuesday, October 15)
While captain Mario Lemina has not had the best start to the season, he has been brought back into the Gabon squad after missing the last international fixtures through injury.
Sitting second in their African Cup of Nations qualifying group, the midfielder will be hoping for maximum points from the next round of fixtures to put his nation in a strong position.
Hwang Hee-Chan – South Korea
- Jordan (Thursday, October 10)
- Iraq (Tuesday, October 15)
Out in Asia, another player who hasn’t had the best start to the campaign is Hwang Hee-Chan. O’Neil bringing on Hwang in the 5-3 defeat to Brentford was deemed the ‘worst substitution in Wolves’ history’, however, this has not stopped him from returning to the South Korea squad.
Over the next two weeks, the Wolves man will be hoping to edge South Korea closer to World Cup qualification, with the nation currently sitting second in the third round group stage.
Rodrigo Gomes – Portugual Under 21s
- Faroe Islands (Friday, October 11)
- Andorra (Tuesday, October 15)
While Wolves’ new signing hasn’t had many minutes on the pitch this season, Rodrigo Gomes will be hoping to gain valuable minutes and experience for Portugal’s Under 21s.
The winger will be competing in the Euro Under 21 qualifiers, with his nation currently second in the group.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – Norway
- Slovenia (Thursday, October 10)
- Austria (Sunday, October 13)
One man who has had a solid start to his Wolves career is Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norweigan, who has joined on loan from Celta Vigo, has netted twice in his first seven appearances for the Old Gold.
Now, the striker will be hoping to have another good week with his country as the Nordic side aim to win their Nations League group.
Andre – Brazil
- Chile (Friday, October 11)
- Peru (Wednesday, October 16)
Despite Wolves’ poor start to the season, Andre has kept his spot in Brazil’s team for some vital upcoming fixtures.
The South American side faces Chile and Peru in the World Cup qualifiers, with the nation sitting fifth of 10 teams in the group stages.
Nelson Semedo – Portugal
- Poland (Saturday, October 12)
- Scotland (Tuesday, October 15)
Nelson Semedo has also retained his place in the Portugal team for their Nations League fixtures.
The right-back’s country sits at the top of their group and will be hoping to retain this feat by the end of the international break.
Santiago Bueno – Uruguay
- Peru (Saturday, October 12)
- Ecuador (Wednesday, October 16)
A player who could become extremely important to Wolves over the coming months, Santiago Bueno is one of three fit senior centre-backs O’Neil has at his disposal.
However, over the next week and a half, Bueno will face two vital World Cup qualifying matches Peru and Ecuador, with the South American side sitting third in the group.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – Algeria
- Togo (Thursday, October 10)
- Togo (Monday, October 14)
The full-back has been another player on great form for Wolves despite the club’s awful run. Rayan Ait-Nouri has now found the net three times and also picked up an assist in his last match against Brentford.
Coming up, the defender will be looking to maintain Algeria’s 100% start to their African Cup of Nations qualifiers as they face Togo.
Carlos Forbs – Portugal Under 21s
- Faroe Islands (Friday, October 11)
- Andorra (Tuesday, October 15)
The final player on this list is Carlos Forbs. While the winger has not had much game time at Wolves since he joined he has gradually worked his way up to earn a spot in the starting XI.
Over the next week and a half, he will join Rodrigo Gomes aiming to increase their chances of securing qualification for the Under 21s European Championships.