Wolves are back in action this weekend to take on Stoke City in their latest pre-season friendly match – and the game has now become a big opportunity for one player in particular.
Wolves recently finished up their 10-day training camp in Portugal, which by all accounts was a success.
Vitor Pereira put his players through their paces in some intense sessions, and there were also two games against Santa Clara and Burnley.
While Wolves were out in Portugal there was plenty of transfer speculation.
And earlier this week, Wolves had looked on track to sign Marc Pubill from Almeria.
But at the eleventh hour, Atletico Madrid hijacked Wolves’ move for Pubill, who is already confirmed as their player.
Journalist Liam Keen stated that Wolves’ move for Pubill was all but done, so it was a huge frustration for Vitor Pereira, who has been vocal about Wolves’ summer so far.
Wolves’ search for a replacement for Nelson Semedo continues, but Saturday’s game with Stoke perhaps now takes on new significance for one player.
Ki-Jana Hoever has big chance to stake claim for Wolves against Stoke
Wolves may now take a bit more time to sign an alternative right-back after missing out on Pubill.
Which makes this a very important period now for Ki-Jana Hoever, who is in the frame for an unexpected renaissance at Wolves out of nowhere.
Hoever spent last season on loan at Auxerre, and it was his best temporary spell away from Molineux to date.
Hoever impressed Wolves fans with his assist for Jorgen Strand Larsen against Burnley last week, with some really liking the turn of pace he showed and final ball.
And E&S journalist Nathan Judah picked Hoever out as one of four players who impressed him during the camp in Portugal.
Wolves now take on Stoke on Saturday, and the game has potentially taken on new significance for Hoever after what happened with Pubill.
Wolves may still go out and sign another right-back.
But he can at least catch Pereira’s attention further and who knows, he might end up sticking around at Wolves in 2025/26.
Dave Edwards has already suggested Hoever could be a ‘surprise’ replacement for Semedo, and it could yet be a route Pereira goes down.
Hoever can soften Marc Pubill blow for Wolves
The collapse of the Pubill deal was very frustrating, mainly because of the timing and how everything seemed to be on track.
But some have pointed out that Pubill never gave the impression that Wolves were his first choice, with AC Milan also trying to sign him at one point.
Ultimately, Pereira has spoken about players really wanting to play for Wolves and embracing being in Wolverhampton.
So perhaps Pubill was never the right man to come in.
But Hoever – who cost £13.5 million all in (BBC Sport) – now has a great opportunity, as Wolves look at other options on the market.
If he can perform solidly against Stoke and the other games, he may well prompt Wolves to shelve their plans for a new right wing-back.