Wolves face Southampton at Molineux in a potential relegation six pointer this early on in the Premier League season.
The league’s bottom two sides meet in the West Midlands on Saturday, November 9 at 3.00 pm. Saints finally had lift off last Saturday when they won 1-0 at home against Everton, defeating the Toffees courtesy of an Adam Armstrong goal.
Later on in the day, Wolves played out to a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Wolves came from behind to lead the Eagles after Jorgen Strand Larsen and Joao Gomes had cancelled out Trevoh Chalobah’s opener, but Marc Guehi scored an equaliser.
Neither side can move out of the relegation zone with a victory this side of the international break, but with Wolves still without a win after 10 league games, the pressure is on. Here’s the latest injury and team news ahead of each manager’s pre-match press conference.
Wolves team news
Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, and Sasa Kalajdzic are the three long-term absentees. Gonzalez suffered an ACL injury during the Olympic Games in July, and then Mosquera suffered his injury against Aston Villa. Sasa Kalajdzic also has a knee injury and isn’t expected to return until the New Year.
Boubacar Traore had to have a procedure to rectify a knee problem, and that has put him out until Christmas. Sam Johnstone has been training over the last couple of weeks but hasn’t made the matchday squad. Jose Sa has been the first choice keeper, and then Dan Bentley has acted as backup.
Hwang hee-Chan suffered an ankle injury whilst on international duty and hasn’t played this side of the international break. The South Korean could return this weekend, or Wolves could take a cautious approach and allow him to recover during the international break.
Bastien Meupiyou is yet to make his competitive debut for the club after joining from Nantes. He’s been seen doing some ball work in training, but he’s still not a part of the first-team picture.
Summer signing Pedro Lima is also apparently nursing an injury. He was spotted in the stands for Wolves’ game against Palace, and was carried off with a reported ankle problem in a recent game for the under-21s.
Out: Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, Sasa Kalajdzic, and Boubacar Traore. Doubt: Hwang hee-Chan, Sam Johnstone, and Bastien Meupiyou.
Southampton team news
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is sidelined until 2025 after rupturing his Achilles tendon. He picked it up in April, and had been their first choice goalkeeper up until that point.
Ross Stewart has had a difficult time with injury since signing from Sunderland. He’s made five appearances this term, but only one of those has been starts. He’s been sidelined with an injury since the start of October.
Will Smallbone is going to be out for a ‘little bit of time‘ having played through the pain barrier. He’s got a hamstring injury and won’t be available for selection this side of the international break.
Ryan Fraser came off early in the 3-2 defeat to Stoke City in the Carabao Cup and is an injury concern. He wasn’t involved against Everton at the weekend. Adam Lallana suffered a groin injury against Everton. He looked to be in some discomfort, according to their local media.
Out: Gavin Bazunu, Ross Stewart, and Will Smallbone. Doubts: Ryan Fraser and Adam Lallana.
