Fabio Silva’s form on international duty hasn’t gone unnoticed by Gary O’Neil as the manager prepares his team for the Premier League game at home to Liverpool (12.30pm).
The striker claimed three goals and three assists over two games with Portugal under-21s, against Andorra and Belarus. A Premier League game against Liverpool is a tougher challenge but O’Neil isn’t downplaying the striker’s efforts.
He said: “For a number nine to be scoring goals definitely helps confidence. He has played quite a lot of minutes for us so far already, maybe more than he has before for the club. I am pleased he has managed to get some minutes while he has been away as well to keep up his fitness and sharpness and a few goals to help him with his confidence.
“Not that he really needed any (confidence) but you know what number nines are like, when they are scoring they get an extra boost. I am pleased he has managed to go away and have a successful couple of weeks. I am pleased to have him back fit as well. When they go away you are always slightly concerned they won’t come back fit and available.”
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Putting Silva into the starting line up is at least an option for O’Neil who would have liked to bring in an extra striker before the transfer deadline. Instead, he has Silva, Matheus Cunha and Sasa Kaljdzic as his three senior centre forwards, with competition and cover from 18 year old academy goalscorer Nathan Fraser.
Hwang Hee-Chan and Pablo Sarabia provide further options for the manager because both could play just behind a centre forward in a possible 4-2-3-1 line up. Wolves have three points from their opening four league games and face a tough challenge at home to a Liverpool side who have taken ten points from their four matches.
However, Wolves were 3-0 winners in this fixture under Julen Lopetegui last season and O’Neil guided Bournemouth to a 1-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s side.