Jacqui Oatley has provided the Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters with an injury update on the latest edition of The Molineux View podcast.
When discussing the position of right-wing back following the sale of Matt Doherty to Tottenham Hotspur last week, the presenter revealed that Luke Matheson is currently injured. The 17-year-old, who is yet to make his first-team debut for Wolves, spent the second half of last season on loan at Rochdale in League One, having joined from the Dale during the January transfer window (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk). He made 23 league appearances during the 2019/20 campaign and contributed one goal and two assists.
When discussing the transfer window, Oatley revealed the latest with regards to the player’s condition. Here is what she had to say:
“Luke Matheson [is] on crutches at the moment, he’s out for a few weeks so will miss out on any pre-season training so it leaves Oskar Buur Rasmussen possibly as the option for right wing-back starting the season if indeed Adama Traore isn’t available.”
Do you expect Wolves to bring in a Doherty replacement before the start of the season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
Doherty made 36 Premier League appearances for the Molineux club last season, 50 in all competitions (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk) and so his departure in our view significantly weakens Nuno Espirito Santo’s side unless they bring somebody else in during this window.
Although Matheson’s injury is bad news, we believe that regardless of whether he is fit, Wolves must bring in another full-back to fill the position. The other alternative would be Oskar Buur Rasmussen, who featured for the first-team just twice last season – once in the FA Cup and once in the UEFA Europa League (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk). They’ve already had their approach for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles rejected and it remains to be seen whether they will increase their offer for the 23-year-old or turn their attentions elsewhere.