Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil will be unable to call upon Pedro Neto for the forthcoming fixtures
Wolverhampton Wanderers star Pedro Neto has left boss Gary O’Neil in a ‘quite stressful’ situation after a major development at Molineux, journalist Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT.
Although Wolves were forced to contend with losing the likes of Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes and Raul Jimenez as they recouped close to £160million thanks to departures during the summer transfer window, Neto has played a pivotal role in a promising start to the campaign.
But, having been integral since O’Neil was appointed as Wanderers’ head coach following Julen Lopetegui’s decision to walk away from the post just a matter of days before the season got underway, there are fears that he is facing an extensive period on the sidelines.
Neto set to miss key clashes through injury
Wolves are hopeful that Neto will return to action before the turn of the year, according to MailOnline, after a hamstring injury resulted in him having to be stretchered off during the second half of the draw with Newcastle United last weekend.
The report suggests the winger may be on the sidelines for six weeks, giving him an outside chance of being available for the busy festive period, despite him taking to social media to insist he will be on the treatment table for ‘a few weeks’.
Neto’s spell out of contention will come as a huge blow to Wolves as he had started the campaign in scintillating form, registering eight goal contributions in 10 appearances, and O’Neil will be forced to seek an alternative creative spark.
The five-cap Portugal international’s improved levels of end product resulted in Sunday People chief sports writer Neil Moxley recently telling GIVEMESPORT that it would take a bid upwards of £70million to make Wanderers even consider selling their talisman in the fast-approaching transfer window.
| How Pedro Neto ranks vs his Wolverhampton Wanderers teammates in the Premier League this season | |
|---|---|
| Assists | 1st |
| Key passes per game | 1st |
| Average match rating | 1st |
| Shots per game | 2nd |
| Goals | =4th |
| All statistics according to WhoScored | |
Neto’s injury also came a matter of days after he revealed that he will not push for a mid-season move away from Wolves, having informed sporting director Matt Hobbs that he will opt against agitating for a fresh challenge away from the West Midlands despite Arsenal being among his long-term admirers.
The Gunners have sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old in action on a number of occasions this season, having been plotting a potential January swoop, while he has additional suitors in the form of Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid and Saudi Pro League sides.
But Neto’s insistence that he is happy at Wolves, along with his £50,000-per-week contract still having just shy of four years to run, has put his current employers in a strong negotiating position ahead of interested parties possibly testing their resolve.
Dean Jones update – Pedro Neto
Jones believes O’Neil has been left in a tough position after Neto has been forced onto the sidelines with an injury which will keep him out of numerous Premier League clashes.
The transfer insider is aware that a number of admirers have been circling for the former Braga man, highlighting that he will be sorely missed while he is out of action.
