Wolves are set to be without Pedro Neto for a short period of time, after the winger was stretchered off with an injury against Newcastle United.
Neto was bearing down on the Newcastle goal in full flight and was just about to take a shot.
But the Portuguese pulled up, to the devastation of the Molineux faithful.
It was an instant and collective realisation that Wolves had just lost their best player for potentially several weeks.
Thankfully, Neto has provided an update today via social media to say that he only faces a couple of weeks out.
Many were fearing the worst, given the way he left the action on a stretcher.
He looks set to be out for only a few games, but that still means a chance for someone to come in and stake a claim.
Step forward Pablo Sarabia…
Pedro Neto injury may hand Pablo Sarabia a fresh chance for Wolves
There are several things O’Neil could do to get around this injury for Neto.
But one man who may fancy his chances of starting in Neto’s absence is Sarabia, a player who has played just 15 minutes in the Premier League for Wolves in the last six games.
Neto and Hwang Hee-chan being as good as they’ve been has meant little chance for anyone else to play.
Sarabia can also play through the middle.
But the recent system change has meant just two central midfielders.
So Sarabia – whom Sporting CP apparently tried to sign at the end of the last transfer window – has hardly featured. He’s managed just 189 minutes in the Premier League so far across five appearances.
But with Neto set for a short spell out, it may be his time to come back into the side.
It’s something that not all Wolves fans would be on board with though, and that is understandable.
Sarabia – who reportedly earns around £90,000-a-week – has undoubtedly disappointed this season. And if we are being honest, he has not lived up to the hype since he signed for the club back in January.
But he might get the nod in Neto’s absence – and he has to repay O’Neil’s faith if selected.
He’s an experienced player who should really be offering more.
Hopefully, if he does come into the starting XI now, he will be the source of creativity he needs to be with Neto out, and the one he’s supposed to be judging by his goal and assists numbers at previous clubs.
