Wolverhampton Wanderers kick-off their 2022/23 Premier League campaign on Saturday afternoon with a trip to Leeds United and they will do so without star striker Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican picked up a knock towards the back end of pre-season that could see him miss around a month of action, leaving Bruno Lage with little options in terms of who to deploy as striker.
Pedro Neto is the likeliest candidate having played there in the latter games of the summer whereas Daniel Podence and Hwang Hee-chan are also options for the boss.
There are also question marks over the defence but it’s looking more and more likely that club captain Conor Coady will no longer be first choice at the back with most recent signing Nathan Collins seemingly winning the shirt.
Leeds United themselves are suffering badly with injuries ahead of the contest and the gold and black will be keen to exploit that and get an early three points on the board.
With all that in mind, here’s the eleven BirminghamWorld feel Lage will go with for the trip to Elland Road.
9. LW - Morgan Gibbs-White
Rumblings again that his position is not yet 100% at the club but after his performances in pre-season, expect him to start. Photo: Quality Sport Images
10. RW - Daniel Podence
Another in decent goalscoring form in pre-season and will likely start with him and MGW interchanging throughout. | Getty Images
11. ST - Pedro Neto
A very welcome, welcome back. Looks back to his best this summer and look forward to seeing what he’s got this season. | Getty Images