Bruno Lage confirms Pedro Neto return plan as Wolves set for major boost

Pedro Neto could make his long-awaited return for Wolverhampton Wanderers in one month, says head coach Bruno Lage.

Portuguese winger Neto hasn’t played since suffering a broken kneecap in the 1-0 win over Fulham last April.

Wolves hoped Neto would return to action towards the end last year, but the 21-year-old suffered a setback which lengthened his recovery.

He has now returned to light training at Compton and Lage believes Neto could be reintroduced to first team training sessions within two weeks.

“I called him at the beginning of the week to come to the meetings,” Lage said, giving his most positive update on Neto to date. “Now he’s involved in the meetings to try to understand the way we play.

“He’s started working outside with the physios. Now we need to give him time. It was an injury to the bone so it’s not so traumatic.

“The plan is one more month for him and 15 days for Hwang (Hee-chan). We just have two wingers, (Francisco) Trincao and Daniel (Podence)."

On Neto, Lage continued: “I think he will start (team training) in the middle of the month. It depends on him, what the plan is in one month, then he can start to join the team, go to the bench and have some minutes.”

The returns of Neto and Hwang, who Lage also alluded to above, are hugely important for Wolves after Adama Traore's transfer to Barcelona.

Wolves’ depth in wide positions has been of great use to Lage throughout the season, allowing him to chop and change depending on the opposition's tactical set-up.

But the Wolves head coach only has two senior options available at the moment in Trincao and Podence. Recent addition Chiquinho is expected to play a bit-part role between now and the end of the campaign.

Crucially, Neto and Hwang aren’t the only