Wolves’ Nelson Semedo could be out for longer than initially thought | OneFootball

Wolverhampton Wanderers right-wing-back Nelson Semedo could face a longer spell on the sidelines than originally feared after the Portugal international picked up a hamstring injury in Wolves’ 2-1 defeat away at Arsenal last month.

What’s the story?

According to injury expert Ben Dinnery, the 28-year-old may be unavailable for selection until mid to late April as he continues rehabilitation.

Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery said: “My understanding is that it will probably be slightly longer. It is extremely optimistic to expect a return to play within that month. I would expect that it’s more likely to be mid to late April, in all honesty.

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“I presume that Bruno Lage was maybe hoping for a return after the international break. It might well have been a case of wishful thinking. But my understanding is that it will more likely be around the six to eight-week mark, so it’s a significant setback.”

Wolves will suffer as a result

With Wolves still within a good shout of finishing in a European place, manager Bruno Lage will be desperate to have every one of his players available, with Semedo’s absence a harsh blow.

The right-wing-back has played in 23 of the Wanderers’ 28 league matches this term and is a major asset for Lage’s squad.

Having joined from Barcelona in September 2020 for a fee believed to be around £37m, the Portuguese has been vital for Wolves, racking up 61 appearances already.

Lage’s side have been rightly applauded all season for their solidity at the back with the West Midlands outfit the top-flight’s fourth-best defenders, having conceded just 23 goals in 28 games. Semedo has proven to be a major contributor to that feat.

What makes the predicament even more frustrating is the fact that reserve right-wing-back Ki-Jana Hoever is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, meaning that left-sided wing-back Jonny Otto has to make do on the right.

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Sat in eighth ahead of their trip to Everton this afternoon, Wolves can go seventh with a victory after Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United yesterday. Moreover, if West Ham lose to Aston Villa and Lage’s side win at Goodison Park, the Portuguese manager will see his team break into the top-six.

Yet, a defeat in the continued absence of Semedo could see them continue to lose their grasp on European football; a dire consequence for everyone at Molineux.

There is still so much to play for as the Black Country club look to secure a European spot, however, with the trip to Everton the first of their final ten matches of the season.

Wolves still have to play the current top-three in Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, however, the trio are the only sides from the current top-eight Lage’s side still have to face, meaning that the remaining fixture run certainly favours the Golden Boys which could arguably make the Semedo blow softer.