Leeds United begin their new Premier League season with a home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The Whites will be hoping for a more positive start to the new campaign than last season when they were beaten 5-1 away at Manchester United.
In what will be their third consecutive year of Premier League football, it feels slightly like a new era at Elland Road with five new first team signings through the door, and Jesse Marsch taking charge of his first full season. But Wolves, who are notoriously strong defensively under Bruno Lage, are set to provide tough opening day opponents.
They have enjoyed a relatively quiet summer with only one signing through the door, and a couple of injuries to key players have been slightly disruptive. So with that in mind, here is what our sister site Birmingham Live have said on Wolves’ injury situation ahead of the clash with Leeds this weekend.
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Matija Sarkic
Injury: Hamstring
As luck would have it, on the day Sa returned to full training, Wolves’ number two goalkeeper Sarkic suffered a problem of his own. Sarkic limped out of Wolves’ training session the night before the 3-0 win over Besiktas, but scans have shown only a minor problem.
The 24-year-old is expected to rejoin training at Compton this week, as per Wolves’ medical chief Dr Rob Chakraverty, meaning he is likely to feature on the bench against Leeds.
Expected return date: Leeds United (August 6)
Nelson Semedo
Injury: Hamstring
Semedo was plagued by hamstring injuries towards the end of last season and an impressive campaign ended in April after he pulled up during Wolves’ defeat to Brighton. He had suffered a similar problem a couple of months earlier in the defeat to Arsenal at The Emirates.
The 28-year-old has stepped up his rehabilitation and could be seen running freely out in Spain, although he wasn’t involved in the main part of the sessions. Wolves expect Semedo to return to full training this week and he should be involved in Lage’s squads before the end of August.
Expected return date: Fulham (August 13)
Adama Traore
Injury: Hamstring
Traore scored in Wolves’ behind-closed-doors friendly win over Forest Green at the beginning of pre-season, but he hasn’t been able to partake in any other games due to a small hamstring issue. Wolves say Traore is ‘progressing well’ and he has been training individually.
Expected return date: Tottenham (August 20)
Raul Jimenez
Injury: Knee and groin
Jimenez suffered two small problems during Wolves’ victory over Besiktas on July 23. The striker opened the scoring at the Camilo Cano Stadium before being withdrawn shortly before half-time.
He appeared to be suffering with a groin issue, but scans have shown Jimenez suffered two separate injuries as a result of overstretching. Jimenez has suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee and a minor strain of his adductor. Wolves say he will be out for a ‘number of weeks’, while Jimenez and his partner Daniela Basso have put a two-week timeframe on his recovery.
Expected return date: Tottenham (August 20)
Chiquinho
Injury: Knee
Portuguese winger Chiquinho suffered a serious knee injury in Wolves’ friendly against Burnley in mid-July and has been ruled out long-term. Dr Chakraverty said: “Chiquinho underwent knee surgery following injuries to his anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligament. The surgery went well and he is now back in Wolverhampton recuperating.”
Expected return date: N/A
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