Wolves drew 1-1 with Aston Villa last night in the Premier League – and there was no sign of Connor Ronan in the visitor’s matchday squad.
The spoils were shared at Villa Park in a fairly even contest.
Daniel Podence put Wolves into the lead with a brilliant finish on his weak foot.
But Danny Ings equalised in the second-half, capitalising on some poor defending and goalkeeping.
It was a good display from Wolves, and Julen Lopetegui will not be too dispirited. There were a number of positive signs.
It was interesting to hear Lopetegui speak after the game about a new injury for Boubacar Traore.
The dynamo is facing one to two months on the sidelines, in what is a big blow for Wanderers.
Lopetegui said of the 21-year-old: “We have an injury with Bouba for, I think, one or two months. It’s very bad news for us. We only have four midfielders now in the squad and we have to have more.”
‘We only have four midfielders now’ was a particularly interesting line.
Presumably, he is referring to the three that started against Villa – Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes and Joao Moutinho – and Joe Hodge, who was on the bench.
But Lopetegui does actually have five midfielders available to him right now.
Connor Ronan is the other player, but he did not make last night’s squad.
After making the bench against Gillingham and Everton, he missed out against Manchester United on New Year’s Eve.
Potentially, the manager may not have the 24-year-old as a part of his plans moving forwards.
Connor Ronan could be on the way out of Wolves after Lopetegui’s latest comments
Lopetegui’s comments may not bode particularly well for Ronan if he planned on staying at Wolves beyond January.
The head coach saying he only has four midfielders now after the Traore injury implies Ronan is not in his plans. Unless he just forgot about him, which surely is not the case.
He’s even said ‘we have to have more’, referring to dipping into the transfer market.
It’s possible Lopetegui said four because something is already in the pipeline with Ronan.
He does have interest in him from a number of clubs in Scotland and the Championship.