NUNO’S GOT WALL THE ANSWERS
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO is confident Wolves will not crumble – despite losing their two defensive rocks. Willy Boly and Ryan Bennett both miss tomorrow’s trip to Arsenal. Boly, 28, – nicknamed ‘The Wall’ – will be out for several months with a broken ankle while Bennett, 29, has aggravated a groin injury. That means captain Conor Coady, 26, is the only surviving member from Wolves’ established back trio. Nuno could switch Matt Doherty from wing-back and draft Romain Saiss to play alongside the skipper at the Emirates but he is happy he has the options to solve his problems. “Of course I’m confident. I’m confident because I trust all the players in the squad,” said Nuno.
“We miss all the players who are not with us. When we don’t have a player, it’s one less solution we have.
“So we have to find another and we have that in the squad.
“We have solutions to make a strong 11 to compete.”
Max Kilman, 22, a one-time England Futsal international, is one option along with on-loan Real Madrid prospect Jesus Vallejo.
“Max is a true example of someone who arrived late but you can still achieve it,” said the Portuguese.
“It’s incredible how he’s growing – I cannot tell you how much he’s changed, even his physique.”
Vallejo, also 22, has struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League but Nuno has refused to give up on the Spaniard.
“He’s trying to improve. It’s not easy to get into a routine and we always give time and space to a player to adapt, to get involved and understand the idea we have,” added the head coach.
“I will never, ever abandon a player. We keep on trying to find the best way to get the best out of him.”