Wolves are going to be without Ruben Neves for their next two games – and Matheus Nunes simply must step up in his absence.
Wanderers fans knew it was coming.
Neves had been walking a tightrope on nine yellow cards, and needed to get past the game with Leicester City later this month without getting another caution, to avoid a two-game ban.
But the Molineux captain has failed, as he picked up a 10th booking of the season against Nottingham Forest.
Just before half-time, the 26-year-old dragged down Emmanuel Dennis as he tried to get away.
Julen Lopetegui will now be without his most influential player for the games against Chelsea and Brentford, which is a massive blow.
Neves has been consistently great again this season, and Wolves must now grind out a couple of results without him.
And one man who really needs to come through for Wolves while Neves sits out is Nunes.
The 24-year-old has underwhelmed in his debut season for Wanderers, after arriving at the club to much hype from Sporting CP.
Nunes has struggled to dominate games in the way fans hoped he would, and he has not really lived up to his billing yet.
Sometimes he has had to play out out position to do a job for the team. That has not helped his cause.
But given the money that was paid, much more was expected from the £85,000-a-week man.
With Neves unavailable for the next couple of weeks, it is now time for him to stand up and be counted for.
Matheus Nunes must rise to the occasion against Chelsea and Brentford, with Ruben Neves suspended
Wolves losing Neves is a major blow.
So it’s on other players to step up and Nunes really needs a big performance to prove his worth.
Wanderers are now just two points above the relegation zone, and the big names need to start delivering.
It hasn’t happened so far for Nunes at Molineux. But it is not too late for him to turn things around.
He should be taking responsibility with Neves out of the picture. He is an amazing talent, we have seen it in glimpses.
Wolves fans will really hope he can actually relish playing without his fellow countryman and really dominate the engine room against Chelsea and Brentford.