Gary O’Neill, the manager of Wolves, acknowledges that while the team bases its ambitions on money, the team has been even more “careful” in its transfer strategy in the past week.
During the weekly press conference today, O’Neil acknowledged that a deficiency of transfer funds has eliminated some striker targets that were previously thought to be realistic options.
“We still have to exercise extreme caution,” O’Neil remarked. “Even more cautious than we initially believed regarding the targets we were examining, as I discussed with you guys last week.”
“Even they are not feasible for us at this time.”
Even if there hadn’t been any new players, O’Neil is adamant that he would have nonetheless sent Austrian striker Sasa Kalajdzic on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt.
“I think it’s important for Sasha and Fabio (Silva) to go and play,” he said.
“I think the decisions that have been made have been made for a reason to benefit them to benefit the football club.
“I’m happy to keep working with what we have.”
Haaland will ‘hopefully’ make Man City injury return next week
Erling Haaland will “hopefully” be available to return to action against Burnley at the end of January after six weeks out with a foot injury.
The 23-year-old has not featured since Manchester City’s loss to Aston Villa on December 6, missing his side’s last nine in all competitions, after fracturing a bone in his foot.
Pep Guardiola said Haaland is now pain free and could be in contention for minutes during the Premier League fixture against Burnley on December 31.
Ange Postecoglou has spoken about how tough James Maddison’s recent injury lay-off was for the midfielder.
Maddison is “available and ready to start” tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Manchester City, after recovering from the longest injury absence of his career, lasting two and a half months. Postecoglou explained on Friday how difficult it was for Maddison, a gregarious character in the form of his life when he suffered an ankle injury against Chelsea in November, to be away from the group while working on his rehab.
“He wasn’t low but it was tough for him,” Postecoglou said. “Because he does love his football, he loves the environment of football clubs, he loves the dressing-room. He’s kind of a force within that. It’s hard for all players when they’ve got to go through rehab, especially a character like him. I suggest that our sports science staff wouldn’t enjoy the one-on-one with Madders. He’s more of a guy who wants to be in the group.”
Postecoglou added that Maddison benefitted from going to Dubai with his family and a Spurs physio to work on his rehab there. Spurs organised a similar trip for Cristian Romero to Argentina when he was sidelined recently by a hamstring problem, while Giovani Lo Celso is currently abroad as he recovers from injury.
“It’s been good to get him back,” Postecoglou added of Maddison, whose return should be a huge boost for a Tottenham team looking to win the club’s first trophy in 16 years.
