Wolves’ dire start to the 2024/25 campaign got even worse on week five as Yerson Mosquera suffered a knee injury.
Just as the Colombian was growing into his role at Molineux, his season was ended as Wolves’ greatest fears were confirmed.
The club confirmed that Mosquera suffered an ACL and MCL injury against Aston Villa, which will likely rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
It’s a nightmare for Gary O’Neil, who is now left with two available centre-backs at this moment, piling the pressure on Wolves who are in need of a win.
What Wolves’ priority is after Yerson Mosquera injury
Straight after Wolves’ 3-1 defeat to Villa, O’Neil admitted that Mosquera’s injury didn’t ‘look good’, seeing fear creep in soon after he was stretchered off the pitch.
Now that the extent of the defender’s injury has been confirmed, the manager will have to start thinking about how to move forward without his presence.
In the wake of Wolves’ announcement, HITC reported that the Old Gold are considering making a move for a homegrown free agent, with two options identified.
Former Crystal Palace centre-back James Tomkins and ex-Newcastle defender Paul Dummett are being considered by Wolves to fill the void left by Mosquera.
While signing one of the two defender’s would be wise, sources close to Molineux News suggest that Wolves’ priority is to attempt to wait until the January transfer window.
O’Neil and Matt Hobbs are understood to be looking at options although it’s likely and preferred that the squad manage to get to the January window without having to add another player to the roster.
In January, the goal is to make moves but until then, the Midlands club will try to make do with what’s already at Molineux, which only reinforces the missed chances in the summer window.
Wolves had to sign a centre-back in the summer transfer window
The blow to Mosquera is a great shame for both the player and for Wolves, who were reaping the benefits of sending the centre-back on loan last season.
In the second half of 2023/24, the Colombian made a name for himself in LaLiga, thriving at Villarreal before returning to Compton to make his presence known in the Premier League.
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Upon seeing Mosquera thrive in pre-season, it could be assumed that Wolves didn’t deem it essential to recruit another centre-back, which had to be done after Max Kilman’s surprise exit.
Instead, O’Neil headed into the season with four senior central defenders, which is now reduced to just two as Toti Gomes recovers from injury and Mosquera is ruled out.
It will now be fascinating to see how the Old Gold navigate until the January transfer window, with depth running dangerously thin at the back.