Wolves striker Fabio Silva has featured very little so far this season.
The 19-year-old was always expected to play a bit-part role this term, with Raul Jimenez back playing again after his awful head injury.
But the teenager has arguably featured much less than expected.
So far, he has made seven Premier League appearances.
But the total time he has spent on the pitch in the competition is just 34 minutes.
He has been handed just the two starts – both coming in the Carabao Cup, which Wolves are now out of, of course.
Against Tottenham Hotspur, he only lasted the first-half after struggling to make an impact.
The next couple of months are going to be very interesting for Silva.
He’s barely featured so far, and there are some tough games coming up for the club.
Lage will surely have to rotate as the games come thick and fast. But will he actually put his faith in Silva?
But sitting on the bench isn’t doing him any good right now. So perhaps Lage ought to reconsider his stance.
Fabio Silva may need January loan, despite Lage comments
Raul Jimenez has been playing so well, and it’s easy to see why Lage would want the Mexican on the pitch at every turn.
He is integral to the team, and things can fall apart when he isn’t on the field.
The game against Aston Villa proved that, even though Wolves somehow won that game.
Just 34 Premier League minutes for Silva by mid-November is fairly surprising, given he is the only other out-and-out striker.
It really does suggest Lage doesn’t fully trust him yet.
He can’t really do anything with cameo appearances, and so Lage should strongly consider permitting him a loan move in January.
Perhaps the club can find a taker back in his native Portugal.
He just needs to be playing, scoring goals and gaining confidence.
And if Wolves do sanction a temporary move for Silva – whom Jeff Shi thinks is a top youngster in world football – the club must get another experienced striker in. That is paramount.