Insider hints £13.5m signing may not play for Wolves again

Journalist Dean Jones claims that even when Ki-Jana Hoever returns from injury, Bruno Lage may opt against playing him for Wolves.

Hoever was given a second successive start on Saturday against Crystal Palace as a result of Nelson Semedo’s recent injury, but his game was cut short when he got injured in the 25th minute and had to be substituted.

The 20-year-old defender has been out of favour this season for Wolves and has only started four games in the Premier League.

Bruno Lage tore into Hoever during his post-match interview, saying he ‘didn’t prepare himself enough’ ahead of the Palace game, which led to his injury.

Jones spoke to GiveMeSport and said that he isn’t sure if he can see Lage putting the full-back in the side, even when he is fit again.

He said: “He [Lage] built him up a little bit in the build-up to that game, but I’m not sure we’ll be seeing him when he’s back.”

TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments…

Ki-Jana Hoever was brought into Molineux from Liverpool in 2020 for £13.5m but has failed to make his mark for Wolves in the Premier League, starting just nine times across two seasons.

Nelson Semedo has been the first-choice right wing-back for Wolves this season as he has featured 23 times for his side in the Premier League, according to Transfermarkt. But after sustaining a hamstring injury, Hoever had his chance of a run of games, though he has been unable to take the opportunity.

Lage has somewhat blamed the full-back for the injury that he picked up on Saturday, and we don’t know the preparation that Hoever had going into the game, but his comments seem harsh towards a 20-year-old who has had little game time with the first team.

Albeit, Lage is the man who picks the team, and his comments could be an