Wolves have recalled forward Patrick Cutrone from his loan spell with Fiorentina, bolstering their attacking options while Raul Jimenez recovers from a serious head injury.
Mexico striker Jimenez sustained a fractured skull in a clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz during a 2-1 win at the end of November and does not appear close to a return.
Since then, 18-year-old Fabio Silva, a pre-season recruit from Porto, has filled in as Wolves' main centre-forward and looked lively, if unspectacular.
The youngster has featured seven times in the Premier League and scored once, his eight shot attempts fewer than Ruben Neves, Romain Saiss (both nine) and Pedro Neto (10).
Wolves' options in that part of the pitch are limited, making Cutrone's recall less of a surprise.
The Italian joined for a reported £16million (€17.7m) from Milan in 2019 but he scored just three times in 24 appearances across all competitions before being sent to Fiorentina on a planned 18-month loan in January last year.
However, he fared no better with the Viola, netting only four times in 30 Serie A outings and laying on just six chances for team-mates.
He will hope to take advantage of a clearer run at a first-team spot with Wolves, as Jimenez still has not been given a return date.
Pep Guardiola takes positives from Man City display despite Carabao Cup exit
Pep Guardiola was counting the positives despite seeing Manchester City dumped out of the Carabao Cup at Newcastle.
Wednesday night’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park ended City’s interest at the third-round stage, although boss Guardiola scoffed at the suggestion afterwards that a quadruple to go with last season’s treble was ever on the cards.
Nevertheless the Spaniard, who made eight changes for the trip to Tyneside, was focusing on the future and the prospect of more silverware despite the disappointment of defeat.
Guardiola said: “We have incredibly positive things for many, many players for their good play.
“The competitions we won plus the European Super Cup, we have three more competitions to play in. For the rest of the teams, good luck for the Carabao Cup.”
Only Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol and Julian Alvarez of those who started Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest did so again against the Magpies as Guardiola used the depth of his impressive squad.
That meant places in the XI for England duo Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish, as well as Mateo Kovacic, and there was a first senior start for 20-year-old midfielder Oscar Bobb and another first-team appearance for teenager Rico Lewis.
Asked about Bobb’s contribution, Guardiola said: “Oscar was more than brilliant in all parts, offence and defence.
“He’s played as a number 10, as a striker, as a winger. We know in the pockets in the middle he moves really well. His intensity is good, he works without the ball.”
City dominated the first half without creating clear-cut chances other than an attempt from Alvarez which was blocked by keeper Nick Pope, and ultimately they were made to pay by Alexander Isak, whose 53rd-minute strike as the home side rallied after the break proved decisive.
Guardiola said: “We were brilliant first half. I think Newcastle couldn’t accept [our first-half dominance], they increased the rhythm and aggression and kicking and they were there, more aggressive.
“We struggled a little, but that’s normal. I said at half-time the second half will not be like the first. I don’t know how many fouls they did and how many we did, but we had double yellow cards. It is what it is.
“I said to be there in the bad moments and we were there. At the end, we could not win. Congratulations to Newcastle.”
Eddie Howe hails ‘absolutely outstanding’ Paul Dummett after Man City scalp
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe saluted his supporting cast after seeing a much-changed team edge past Manchester City and into the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Howe left out 10 of the men who started Sunday’s 8-0 Premier League romp at Sheffield United for Wednesday night’s clash with the treble winners, yet saw them emerge with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
He reserved particular praise for central defenders Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles, with the former, who has been at the club since the age of nine, turning in a dogged display in his first appearance since August last year.
View this post on Instagram“That’s why I was so determined to keep him in the summer – and he can still play an important role on the pitch.
“He’s got real experience and a really good defensive mindset. I thought him and Jamaal, the pair of them, were really, really good for us and I’m delighted that we showed that strength in our back line because it’s going to be hugely important this season.”
The 32-year-old Geordie was part of a team in which only keeper Nick Pope kept his place from the weekend, while there were first starts for summer signings Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall and 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley.
City were dominant before the break, but created few genuine chances other than a Julian Alvarez strike which was blocked by Pope, and opposite number Stefan Ortega had to be equally resilient to keep out Jacob Murphy’s attempt as the half-time whistle approached.
However, the introduction of Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon at the break gave the Magpies a better balance.
They took the lead through Alexander Isak’s 53rd-minute goal and never really looked like surrendering it as Pep Guardiola turned to his bench, but left Erling Haaland sitting on it.
Newcastle now face a reunion with their conquerors in last season’s final, Manchester United, at Old Trafford in the fourth round as they attempt to deal with the competing demands of a schedule which includes Champions League football for the first time in 20 years.
However, asked if victory over competition favourites City might change his priorities, Howe said: “I don’t think we’re looking too far ahead.
View this post on Instagram“We can only look at what’s in front of us and try to continue the good form that we’re in. Then when this competition comes around again, we’ll give it our full focus.“The preparation for today was the same as any other game. Yes, we rotated the team, but we felt that was a necessity. We still wanted to win the game.”
Isak, who limped off with a tight calf muscle shortly after scoring, will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s league clash with Burnley.
Football rumours: Real Madrid, Chelsea and Saudi clubs eye Victor Osimhen swoop
The Daily Mail reports that Real Madrid, Chelsea and Saudi Arabian clubs are spearheading a pursuit for Victor Osimhen, with the possibility of the 24-year-old striker pushing to leave Serie A side Napoli in January.
Staying in Italy, the BBC reports that Roma could look to make a move for Tottenham’s Eric Dier in January. The 29-year-old England international has yet to feature for Spurs this season and is out of contract next summer.
Manchester United will open contract talks with Hannibal Mejbri to keep him at Old Trafford, according to the BBC, although Spanish side Sevillia are rumoured to have their sights set on the 20-year-old Tunisia midfielder.
Social media round-upAccording to the Transfer News Live Twitter account, Barcelona has verbally agreed to a 35 million euro (£30m) fee with Manchester City to see Joao Cancelo‘s loan turned into a permanent move.
Players to watchJadon Sancho: The i reports that the soured relationship between the England winger and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag may be beyond repair.
Chelsea: Italian football site Calciomercato reckons the Blues are on the hunt for a new left-back, and the Stamford Bridge club apparently have their eyes set on Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco and AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez as their first stops in the January transfer window.
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