A huge game takes centre stage at Molineux on Saturday evening as Wolves host Everton in the Premier League.
It was heartache for Vitor Pereira last weekend as Wolves lost on penalties to Bournemouth, knocking them out of the FA Cup.
More alarmingly, Matheus Cunha received a three-match suspension for lashing out at Milos Kerkez in the final minute of extra time.
Pereira now has the impossible task of replacing the Brazilian, who has plundered an impressive 15 goals in all competitions this term.
Fortunately, the Wolves manager did have some positive news to share on the injury front during his pre-match press conference.
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Wolves team news ahead of Everton
A testing period for the boss with injuries looks to be coming to an end as Wolves received a triple boost ahead of Saturday.
Emmanuel Agbadou, who has been injured since the defeat at Liverpool, is available for selection, and so are Portuguese duo Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes.
Guedes has been missing for three matches, while Gomes is back after a five-game spell on the sidelines with an injured pelvis.
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That trio will also be accompanied by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Marshall Munetsi, two players who suffered knocks against Bournemouth last weekend.
Aside from a couple of long-term absentees, Pereira has a nearly fully fit squad to select from, and that makes choosing his starting lineup more challenging.
Wolves predicted lineup against Everton
The first dilemma on the managers’ hands is whether to stick with Jose Sa, who made a huge error against Fulham, or replace him with Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone performed impressively against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, but despite that, Sa will probably keep his place between the posts.
Forming his back three, Matt Doherty will start at right centre-back, providing he’s recovered from the knock he suffered last weekend, while Santiago Bueno could keep his place in the middle with Toti Gomes on the left.
Realistically, Agbadou starts over Bueno when he’s fully match sharp, but Pereira may not throw him straight back into the lineup here.
Wolves predicted lineup vs Everton
Wolves predicted lineup vs Everton
As for the midfield and wing-backs, Nelson Semedo will start on the right, with Andre and Joao Gomes forming the engine room duo and Rayan Ait-Nouri on the left.
Arguably, the biggest call facing Pereira is who should replace Cunha. We think Hwang Hee-chan is the most natural to start on the left, deploying Pablo Sarabia on the opposite flank and Jorgen Strand Larsen up top.