Wolves fans are still trying to process the news that Yerson Mosquera has sustained a serious knee injury.
The defender was stretchered off against Aston Villa at the weekend and yesterday, the club delivered the update supporters had been dreading.
It had been suggested earlier in the day that Mosquera had suffered an MCL injury and possible damage to his ACL as well.
Wolves confirmed later that day that Mosquera has indeed suffered damage to both ligaments, and that he is unlikely to play again this season.
It was a great shame, because Mosquera has been one of Wolves players during what has been a tough start to the 2024/25 season.
His injury is awful news for Wolves, but there could now be a window of opportunity for young Alfie Pond.
Alfie Pond could now get first-team minutes for Wolves like Nathan Fraser and Leon Chiwome last season
Alfie Pond made his full debut for Wolves last week in the Carabao Cup third-round defeat to Brighton. This was his second first-team appearance after he got a cameo against Blackpool last season in the same competition.
It was a tough night for Wolves, who are all at sea at the Amex Stadium. But Pond did OK considering the circumstances.
He partnered Santiago Bueno at the back, and it now looks like he could potentially be in line for more minutes with the first-team.
It is very possible now that Gary O’Neil will get him involved with the first-team a bit more.
The club’s failure to land a centre-back for the first-team in the summer meant O’Neil had just four options. He now has three after the news about Mosquera.
Pond could therefore be set for opportunities. We have already seen O’Neil turn to youth at Molineux, last term Nathan Fraser and Leon Chiwome both got minutes following injuries to key players.
Pond has some experience of senior football
The situation is far from ideal for Wolves and questions are rightly being asked about why a centre-back was not brought in.
Bastien Meupiyou was brought in from Nantes, but he is not first-team ready and is a player for the future.
It’s something that could very well come back to haunt Wolves.
But Pond could at least provide a bit of cover for Wolves until January. He has experience of playing men’s football, having had spells with Stockport County, Yeovil Town, Exeter City and Tiverton Town.
He has been described previously by Dave Challinor at Stockport as ‘strong aerially and comfortable with the ball at his feet’. He also captained the Wolves U21s, which shows maturity and leadership.
He is obviously still hugely inexperienced. But Wolves do not have many other options right now. The club can’t turn to any free-agents, like Joel Matip, because the squad is full.
So Pond may start making more matchday squads from now on and he could even see some minutes. Craig Dawson is 34 now and the potential workload facing him could be tough.