Wolves suffered FA Cup heartbreak last weekend against Bournemouth, losing on penalties, and Vitor Pereira’s men will have to quickly turn their attention back to the Premier League.
In a pulsating encounter at the Vitality Stadium, Matheus Cunha was shown a red card for lashing out at Milos Kerkez, letting his side down just before the shoot out.
Cunha now faces a three-match ban, meaning he will miss upcoming clashes against Everton, Southampton and West Ham, three important games in the battle to avoid relegation.
Vitor Pereira will have to hatch a plan to replace the Brazilian, who has scored 15 goals, and that could involve bringing Hwang Hee-chan into the starting lineup.
The South Korean has struggled with injuries and form this term, only netting twice in the Premier League, but now the 29-year-old could exploit one of Everton’s weaknesses.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Hwang Hee-chan can exploit Everton’s Vitalii Mykolenko
Everton manager David Moyes has made a brilliant start to life back at Goodison Park, successfully dragging the Toffees away from the threat of relegation.
However, during the January transfer window, the Scotsman sought to improve two weak spots in his squad, and one of those was full-back.
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According to TEAMtalk, Moyes saw signing a new left-back as a priority, given that Vitalii Mykolenko is his only natural option at present.
Mykolenko has been underwhelming at times for Everton, with many sections of the fanbase criticising the Ukraine international for his below-par performances.
The 25-year-old is a weak link defensively, and putting Hwang up against him in the right channel can bring joy for Wolves on Saturday night.
Pereira has hailed Hwang for his pace, and combining his speed with piercing movement can see the South Korean get the better of his opposite number.
Hwang has a huge chance in Matheus Cunha’s absence
Last season, Hwang was on top of the world, equalling Cunha’s tally of 12 Premier League goals and attracting interest from Europe.
Wolves rejected a bid for Hwang from Marseille, as Gary O’Neil saw him as a vital part of his plans. But sadly, the former Leipzig man hasn’t delivered the requisite performances.
Although he hasn’t been helped by injuries, Wolves fans have blasted Hwang for his displays, and he must put that behind him for the rest of the campaign.
In Cunha’s absence, he has a unique chance to impress his manager and cement his place in the team ahead of a massive period.
To do that, he must start delivering quality in the final third, beginning against Everton this weekend.