Wolves: Two potential knock-on effects as Ruben Neves out until May with knee injury

Wolves manager Bruno Lage has been dealt a huge injury blow this week and it could have a big impact on his team. 

It was recently been reported that the Premier League outfit will potentially be without Ruben Neves until May after he suffered medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee.

Considering he had played in 31 games so far this season, helping Wolves impress in the league as they currently sit eighth in the table, the midfielder will likely be missed.

However, with Neves no longer an option, it could open a window of opportunity for another few squad options.

Dendoncker to step up

As alluded to before, Neves has been a mainstay in the Wolves team under Lage. On top of that, for the most part, he has been paired with Joao Moutinho – the duo have the fifth and sixth most minutes for the team across all competitions.

This has meant Leander Dendoncker, who signed for £12.42 million, has not always been a guaranteed start for the club. Indeed, he has started just 15 of the 30 league games he has been in the squad for, while he was left on the bench for the full 90 minutes during two of Wolves’ March matches (via Transfermarkt).

While his stats show he is often used by Lage, it’s clear he is not the first name on the teamsheet. However, between now and the end of the season, that could all change.

Indeed, with Neves out, this could be the opportunity for Dendoncker to force himself into the starting XI in the middle of the park for the long term.

What’s more, with Arsenal and Barcelona both linked with a move for Neves, there is the chance the 25-year-old could be sold in the summer.

If that happens, now is the perfect opportunity for Dendoncker to prove to Lage he can step up and solve that potential issue in the future.

Cundle’s door opens

While Dendoncker may be a ready-made option to come into the first team, Luke Cundle be set for a boost too. Up to this point in the season, the 19-year-old has played just twice in the Premier League.

However, he is no doubt rated by the club as they recently handed him a new contract earlier in March which will keep him at Molineux for a further four years.

At the time he said: “I’ve been training with the first-team for a couple of years now, but at the start, as a young lad, you can get quite nervous, but the lads help you through it and make you feel comfortable.

“Then, people can see how well you’re doing, so that gave me the belief to push on from there.”

Perhaps now is the moment to take the next step.

While it would be unreasonable to expect Cundle to steal Neves’ spot in the team, it wouldn’t be out of the question to get a few more minutes off the bench here and there. After all, despite his limited influence on first-team matters this term, he has been in the match-day squad for 25 league games this season.

With Neves out of the equation, those minutes have to go somewhere. If Dendoncker, for instance, begins starting most games, that takes him away as on option for Lage to bring off the bench. But Cundle will be there ready, as he has been for much of the season, to potentially appear with a little more regularity.

If he can impress with a couple of good cameos, he may quickly accelerate his importance in the team.

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