Wolves will play Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday as they advance to the FA Cup third round.
Vitor Pereira’s team may find the FA Cup to be a welcome diversion as the Old Gold fights for their Premier League survival.
Last season, Wolves reached the quarter-finals under Gary O’Neil before they were knocked out by Coventry City.
Now, after a 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest last time out, the cup game will be seen as the perfect match to return to winning ways.
Changes to the starting XI are possible given Wolves’ current injury issues. The match could also present an opportunity to many of the club’s youngsters who will be gunning for a first-team appearance.
Therefore, Molineux News has highlighted three players who will be looking to impress Pereira in the FA Cup.
Alfie Pond
The FA Cup match could be a massive game for Alfie Pond. Throughout the season, Wolves’ defensive issues have been highlighted time and again.
Against Nottingham Forest, the club once again failed to deal with the threat as they shipped three goals at Molineux once more.
Although Emmanuel Agbadou is anticipated to sign with Wolves shortly, Pond may have an opportunity to prove that he should be considered for the starting lineup. Currently, Santiago Bueno is the only sit center-back for the team, so Pond may be given a start; if he does well, Pereira may be persuaded that he merits more Premier League appearances.
Wesley Okoduwa
Wesley Okoduwa is seen as one of the biggest talents in Wolves’ academy. The 16-year-old has hovered around the first team now for almost a year but is yet to make his debut for the Old Gold.
Back in March, Okoduwa could have become Wolves’ youngest-ever player after he was named on the bench vs Newcastle.
In the summer, Chelsea ‘actively pursued’ Okoduwa but Wolves managed to keep hold of their upcoming star.
Now, Pereira might see the Bristol City game as the ideal time to give Okoduwa his professional debut.
The youngster, who mainly plays as a right-back, was on the bench once again vs Nottingham Forest, which could hint towards an appearance on Saturday.
Luke Cundle
Luke Cundle has been a forgotten player at Wolves so far this season. The midfielder was unable to secure a loan move in the summer and has spent the first half of the campaign with the first team.
Since Pereira took charge of the Old Gold, Cundle has been regularly spotted on the bench but has yet to make an appearance.
However, the Wolves manager may be tempted to award the 22-year-old with his first Wanderers appearance since the 2021/22 campaign against Bristol City.
If Cundle does play, it would be a massive opportunity for the former Stoke City loanee. With Mario Lemina’s departure looking likely, Wolves will need another midfielder.
Yet, if Cundle performs well, he may be able to convince Pereira that he deserves a shot in the first team.
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