Gary O’Neil confirms double Wolves injury blow before Arsenal season opener

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O’Neil has confirmed two injuries sustained during the early days of the pre-season tour in the United States.

Attacking duo Matheus Cunha and Daniel Podence will not feature in the remaining friendly fixtures against Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig or Rayo Vallecano. Cunha has suffered a hamstring blow, while Podence has been dealing with discomfort in his calf.

“Cunha felt a slight pain low down in his hamstring,” O’Neil told our sister publication, Express & Star. 

“He’s had a scan and the damage isn’t big. It’s only a small bit of damage, but it’s in an area where it can reoccur, so we do have to manage it carefully,” O’Neil admitted.

The Brazilian won’t feature again in the States but it’s hoped he’ll be able to play in the Premier League season opener, away at Arsenal on August 17. 

Podence, meanwhile, is in a similar boat. “His calf is still sore so he won’t play any part in the games on this trip,” O’Neil confirmed.

Wolves will of course be impacted by the pair’s absence but the new signings of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes soften the blow somewhat. O’Neil will be relieved to already have better squad depth now than he did at the tail end of last season.