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An update on Jorgen Strand Larsen and his likelihood to start for Wolves against West Ham.
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen withdrew from his Norway duty at the start of the international break after suffering a hand fracture.
The 25-year-old was Wolves’ hero before the interruption of Premier League action as he scored twice in a vital 2-1 victory over fellow relegation battlers Southampton. Strand Larsen wasn’t in peak physical condition even then, however, as the attacker broke his hand a while before.
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Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira revealed after the 1-1 draw with Everton a week earlier that Strand Larsen had fractured a bone. The attacker was still feeling the effects of his ailment against Southampton but was able to battle through the pain.
“I must say something to defend Larsen,” Pereira said after the Everton draw. “Two days before the match, he broke his hand - a bone in his hand. He played with protection. For a striker, if you don’t have your hands to play, it’s a big problem. We played with him and he tried his best.”
Thankfully for Wolves, Strand Larsen was able to play through his injury against Southampton with a gold-coloured bandage for support. The Norwegian’s brace - pivotal in securing three points at St Mary’s Stadium - brought his tally to nine goals in the Premier League.
Norway would have liked to utilise Strand Larsen for their two fixtures during the March internationals but the decision was made for the striker to stay with Wolves so he didn’t aggravate his injury. Norway have done fine without Wolves’ number nine, in fairness, as they thrashed Moldova 5-0 in their first World Cup qualifier and are hoping for similar success against Israel on Tuesday night.
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Will Jorgen Strand Larsen start vs West Ham?
There has been no formal confirmation that Strand Larsen will start Wolves’ next Premier League outing against West Ham United on Tuesday, April 1, but the likelihood is he will.
The only reason Strand Larsen withdrew from his Norway call-up was because Wolves are the priority at this moment in time and it wasn’t worth taking any risks. He was fine to play through the injury against Everton and Southampton, after all, so there’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to do the same again next week.
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers with Strand Larsen in their teams should probably hold the striker as, despite a yellow flag suggesting he’s a doubt, he’ll be fine to play. If anything, he’s had longer to recover and will be closer to peak fitness rather than further away.
Matheus Cunha’s suspension lasting another two games against West Ham and Ipswich Town due to a one-match extension only increases Strand Larsen’s chances of starting.
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Nothing is stopping FPL managers from selling Strand Larsen from a tactical perspective with the likes of Beto (£5.1m), Joao Pedro (£5.6m), Evanilson (£5.6m) and Yoanne Wissa (£6.5m) all decent options at a similar price point. Removing Strand Larsen for his injury concern isn’t necessary, however, with Pereira very likely to name him in his XI against the Hammers.