WOLVES HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH COSTA

NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO has hailed the return of Helder Costa, but admits the star needs more time to get back to full fitness.

Portuguese youngster Costa was Wanderers’ Player of the Year with 12 goals last term. And the forward was scouted by all the top clubs after some exhilarating displays, including in an FA Cup upset at Liverpool.

But an ankle injury in April and surgery in July wiped out his pre-season and ruled Costa out for two months. He has since struggled to force his way back in with Ivan Cavaleiro, Leo Bonatini and Diogo Jota on fire for the league leaders, who are four points clear after four straight wins. But Costa (top) got his first goal of the season off the bench in the 4-1 win over Leeds. Santo (above) said: “Against Leeds I thought he showed good action which changes the dynamic of the game. “But we all have to realise what Helder has been through in the last year. He had four months out and didn’t make the pre-season with the team.

“He is doing his own individual development and is growing, we respect that.

“But he is a player who has a lot of quality and it is taking a lot of work from him for us.”

Wolves may be top, but revitalised Bolton are unbeaten in seven matches.

And Trotters boss Phil Parkinson said: “Everyone who plays Wolves is the underdog. I was there on Wednesday and it’s almost a party-atmosphere already.

“We need to make sure we raise our game.”