Nuno coy over Cutrone
Nuno Espirito Santo still ‘counts on’ Patrick Cutrone - but he has slightly changed his position on the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker’s future.
Cutrone, 23, was recalled from his loan spell at Fiorentina earlier this month and Wolves intended to keep him at Molineux for the remainder of the season.
The signing of Willian Jose has again cast doubt over Cutrone’s future at Wolves though, and reports in Italy suggest a number of Serie A clubs are keen to sign the striker.
Speaking only last week, Nuno insisted Wolves were ‘not looking’ to loan out Cutrone before the end of the transfer window. The boss also explained that Wolves hope to reunite Cutrone with his family in England before too long.
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Nuno maintains that he is happy to keep Cutrone around, but he refused to rule out an exit before Monday’s deadline.
“We have to wait,” he said. “The intention of recalling Patrick was basically because we needed him and because he was not in a good position in Florence.
“Now, I count on him. He’s working and training, but anything can happen.”
Wolves aren’t expected to be particularly busy before the deadline with Willian’s arrival filling the void created by Raul Jimenez’s injury.
“As long as the transfer window is open, anything can happen,” Nuno added. “It will be over on Monday. Until then, let’s see what’s going on.”
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Loan watch: Dion Sanderson
Dion Sanderson’s loan spell with League One club Sunderland hasn’t entirely gone to plan.
The promising defender, 21, made his senior breakthrough at Cardiff City last year - playing 10 games as the Bluebirds gatecrashed the Championship play-offs - and Wolverhampton Wanderers rewarded him with a new two-year contract.
Several Championship and League One clubs were interested in signing Sanderson back in the summer, including Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday, but the promise of regular minutes lured him to Sunderland.
He’s only started five of their league games since - but three of those have arrived since the start of this month. Coincidence? Probably not.
Reports emerged recently that Cardiff had approached Wolves about re-signing Sanderson on loan. There is a recall clause in the agreement with Sunderland but, as things stand, Wolves have decided against exercising it.
Lee Johnson, who replaced Phil Parkinson as Sunderland manager at the beginning of December, has been working to allay any fears over a lack of playing time and he’s been in regular contact with Wolves.
Johnson has already given Sanderson more League One minutes than Parkinson did - albeit in a variety of defensive positions - and there’s reason to believe that the Wolves youngster is well placed to kick on again.
Speaking about Sanderson to our sister title ChronicleLive, Johnson said: "I think Dion has been good. I think since I've walked through the door he's been a good trainer, a good personality. He's a consistent individual with his outlook on life which I like.
"Every time he's been called upon he's done well. We've played him in a number of positions bless him.
"We've put him at left-back at Northampton, right-back and then his natural position is centre-half.
“Dion is a player of real high potential and high talent. The concentration that he or anyone gets as they grow in terms of age and status and gravitas at the level looks like it's coming, and that's really good for him.”
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Another injury blow
Rayan Ait-Nouri has been ruled out of Wolverhampton Wanderers' match with Crystal Palace today.
French defender Ait-Nouri - who joined Wolves on loan from Angers in the summer - had to be substituted at half-time in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea in midweek due to a groin problem.
The injury, which is on Ait-Nouri's left side, is currently being assessed and he is due to undergo a scan to determine to extent of it.
Speaking ahead of the Palace game, Nuno said: "He’s out, unfortunately. It’s in his left abductor. He still needs a scan and an MRI but he’s not available."
Ait-Nouri's absence adds to Wolves' problems on the left side of their defence. Jonny Castro Otto hasn't played yet this season due to a knee injury, although he is closing in on a return, and Marcal is also out.
All three of Wolves' left wing-backs are set to miss the game at Selhurst Park, meaning Nelson Semedo is likely to deputise there once more.