Gary O'Neil delivered a worrying update on Pedro Neto in the wake of Wolves ' 3-2 loss to Coventry on Saturday.
Just as the Premier League side thought they'd won their FA Cup quarter-final tie with the Sky Blues over the weekend, goals from Ellis Simms and Haji Wright condemned O'Neil's side to defeat. To rub salt into the wounds, O'Neil afterwards confirmed that Neto could miss the rest of the season.
Neto has already missed a substantial chunk of the campaign with a hamstring issue and suffered a similar injury on the opposite leg earlier this month. His absence will undoubtedly hinder the final few weeks of Wolves ' campaign as O'Neil looks to mastermind a top-half finish in his debut campaign at the Molineux helm.
While Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-Chan have proven the primary goalscorers for Wolves, it's Neto's nine assists that have helped to establish the side as one of the more exciting attacking teams in England's top tier. Who could have imagined that this time last year? So to be without the dynamic Portuguese forward for the final weeks of the campaign massively impacts Wolves' quest to nail down a spot in the top half of the table.
As one might expect, Neto ranks highly for the key attacking metrics in his position. He's second to Pablo Sarabia for key passes (38) and third for successful dribbles (37). While he has only scored twice, it's not for want of trying with Neto having fired off the fourth most shots (35) for O'Neil's side. While his xG per shot is just 0.09, he's an offensive threat that forces defences to back track as he looks to drive his side forward.
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Pedro Neto has plenty of admirers in the Premier League (Getty Images)Despite a number of troubling injuries in the past, fans may have expected the explosiveness to his game would have deserted Neto yet he has been just as dangerous as ever. Crucially is that the wideman doesn't rely purely on pace to get the better of a marker in the same vain as Cunha or former Wolves man Adama Traore. That's not to say Neto is a slouch, but rather his quick feet and close control are a key reason behind the ability to beat a man.
The hamstring injury he has sustained is another blow yet it won't severely impact the player in the same manner as it would a speedster who relies solely on pace to better a marker.
He didn't struggle in the weeks following his return to fitness earlier in the season, which was a huge relief for both player and club. The hope now is that he can return to the same level when he eventually overcomes his latest problem.
Gary O'Neil says Neto may not play again this season (Getty Images)The issue now is that not only have supporters potentially seen the last of Neto this season... but possibly for the final time in a Wolves shirt. Neto boasts a lengthy list of Premier League admirers, with north London pair Arsenal and Tottenham both credited with an interest in the Portugal international.
Conversely, though, might his latest spell on the sidelines actually prove a blessing in disguise for the club?
Neto is under contract at Molineux until 2027, so Wolves are under no pressure to sell this summer at the risk of losing the winger on a free next year, but potential suitors may have taken one look at his latest muscle issue and figured they'd be better off picking out an alternative wide forward to bolster their respective ranks.
WhoScored.com's FA Cup team of the roundConsidering Neto's chequered medical history, and for the reported figures mooted to sign the Wolves star, surely the north London pair, among others, will pursue other targets rather than take a punt on the 24-year-old.
The talent alone is worth a move for Neto yet having suffered two hamstring issues this season combined with previous knee and ankle problems that forced him into lengthy spells on the sidelines, he poses a considerable risk for interested parties.
While fans won't object to seeing Neto turn out in a Wolves shirt next season, the fact is his latest injury may well cost him a high profile summer move. For a player who has proven to be one of the Premier League's most potent attackers when on song, it would be a huge shame if he doesn't get the opportunity to chance his luck with one of Europe's elite sides due to rotten luck with injuries.
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