Wolves are still flying high following their 4-1 demolition of Fulham last weekend as they prepare for a home clash against Bournemouth.
The Old Gold climbed out of the relegation zone on goal difference after their second three points of the season, with the outlook towards Gary O’Neil now looking a lot more positive.
O’Neil was under increasing pressure heading into matchday 10 but two wins in a row have done wonders for Wolves’ confidence.
Remarkably, in the thrashing of Fulham, the Wanderers were without defensive duo Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson, forcing the manager into using Mario Lemina as a centre-back alongside Toti Gomes.
Lemina produced an ‘excellent’ defensive display in an unfamiliar role, and now, an update has emerged on two players who could replace him in defence.
Craig Dawson of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Southampton FC at Moline...
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Craig Dawson, Santi Bueno and Pedro Lima spotted in training ahead of Bournemouth
On Saturday, Bueno missed the matchday squad after doubts over his fitness while Dawson was left out through illness.
This weekend, though, it appears the Wanderers defensive duo will return for the visit of Bournemouth as they were spotted in Wolves training on Thursday alongside young right-back Pedro Lima, via the Wolves website.
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Lima suffered an ankle injury for the Wolves under-21s in October, but the 18-year-old took a huge step to becoming match-fit on the training pitches this week.
It’s huge news for O’Neil having three of his defensive players back, most notably Dawson and Bueno, although their availability has handed the manager a big selection headache.
Gary O’Neil’s selection dilemma vs Bournemouth
No one ever expected a Wolves defence missing Bueno and Dawson to comfortably dispatch a decent Fulham side.
Although they were largely thanking Matheus Cunha for his masterclass, scoring two sublime goals and assisting once, the defence looked surprisingly solid in a back four.
Mario Lemina vs Fulham
75 touches
83% passes completed
1 assist
2 key passes
5 long balls completed
7 clearances
75% duels won
3 tackles
2 interceptions
Cunha even joked that Lemina found a new position after how well he played at centre-back whilst O’Neil must not break up the duo of Andre and Joao Gomes.
It leaves the manager in a difficult situation, as the returning duo of Bueno and Dawson will be chomping at the bit to start but playing one or both would mean sacrificing an important player.
For once this season, O’Neil has been handed a welcomed selection headache as he decides whether to change what worked at Craven Cottage.
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