Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has given an encouraging update on the fitness of both Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha.
Wolves were shocked by Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League, losing 2-0 at Molineux in their third battle with the Bees in 2024.
Gary O’Neil’s side were unable to replicate the 3-2 win that they achieved in the FA Cup third-round replay last month, falling short to Thomas Frank’s charged-up squad who efficiently claimed all three points in the Midlands.
While the defeat was disappointing, the majority of the concern relating to the contest came from the withdrawal of Matheus Cunha, who was substituted in the 20th minute due to an injury to his hamstring.
After the Brazilian exited play, the hosts were limited in the final third without their in-form forward, not helped by the absence of Hwang Hee-chan who is the club’s joint top scorer alongside Cunha.
What Gary O’Neil has said about Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan
As relayed by Wolves’ official podcast, the manager gave an encouraging update on the fitness of Hwang, who was unable to feature against Brentford due to a minor concern after returning from the Asia Cup.
Speaking on the South Korean’s fitness, O’Neil explained that the 28-year-old should be back for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
“Channy should be fine, just some awareness in his calf, we would’ve thought he’d train part way through next week and hopefully be available for the weekend.”
It would be a significant boost for the Old Gold to be able to take Hwang, who has 11 goals to his name this season, to North London, particularly as the fitness of Cunha hangs in the balance.
Despite deeming it “too early” to determine the extent of the Brazilian’s injury, the manager relayed that his in-form forward doesn’t feel too bad after managing just 20 minutes against Brentford.
“Too early to tell, he felt something in his hamstring, [he] seems to think he doesn’t feel too bad at this moment but sometimes it can feel like that and be bad and sometimes they can feel bad and not be too bad, so let’s try not to guess and wait until the medical team come back with some real accurate pictures on it and hopefully we can get them both back as soon as possible.”
How important Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan have been for Wolves
From the 37 goals that Wolves have scored so far in the Premier League this season, the pairing of Hwang and Cunha have been involved in all but nine of those scored.
With a combined total of 28 goal contributions between them, it’s no surprise that O’Neil wants his two deadly attackers back in contention quickly, particularly considering the form of Cunha.
After netting a hat-trick against Chelsea, the Brazilian took his Premier League tally to nine goals and six assists, while Hwang sits on 10 goals and three assists, despite missing all of the club’s 2024 action so far due to the Asia Cup.
Only time will tell the extent of Cunha’s injury, with the hope there that the 24-year-old can return to full fitness quickly with the Old Gold.