Wolves could only draw 1-1 with Burnley on Tuesday night at Turf Moor – but Gary O’Neil did provide some encouraging news after the game.
Wanderers took a point against the Clarets, and did well to come from behind after going a goal down to a brilliant strike from Jacob Bruun Larsen.
It was Rayan Ait-Nouri who equalised for Wolves on the stroke of half-time.
The Algerian had a golden chance to put the visitors ahead in the second-half, after being played in by captain Max Kilman, but his finishing let him down.
Wolves had some decent moments in the contest.
But it was a struggle at times, with Leon Chiwome again leading the line. Matheus Cunha was only fit enough for the bench, and played 15 minutes at the end.
After the game though, O’Neil did give supporters reasons to be optimistic…
Gary O’Neil drops encouraging update on Craig Dawson and Hwang Hee-chan
It was a disappointing result for Wolves in terms of Burnley being a side they should be beating on paper.
But with the way the game panned out, a point was not so bad in the end.
The Clarets were spirited, and Wolves were quite poor in the first-half and fortuitous to get back level with the award of the free-kick which led to the Ait-Nouri header.
Wolves were again missing key stars, and so O’Neil was relying on some fringe players and youngsters.
Chiwome had a tough night, but he worked hard and was definitely overlooked by some of his teammates at times and seemingly doesn’t have the trust of some yet.
O’Neil couldn’t select Craig Dawson and Hwang Hee-chan for this one, but it sounds like they are getting closer to returning.
The manager said after the game (via E&S): “Hee-chan and Dawson have a chance for the weekend, but Bellegarde is still a bit behind them
“I would expect Dawson and Channy to definitely be around for the Nottingham Forest game, barring any setbacks.
“They will be training with us before the weekend, so it’s just whether they’re able to do enough to show me they’re ready to go back in.”
Wolves need key stars back for any European push
So Wolves seemingly won’t have Dawson and Hwang once again this weekend which is a blow.
But the pair look on course to return for Forest on April 13, and their returns will be potentially huge for Wanderers. Last night, O’Neil bemoaned the injury crisis and size of his squad, and you can tell it’s a frustration for him at the moment.
The defence is just not the same when Dawson isn’t playing. And Hwang’s goal output has proven very difficult to replace.
They have both been very important players this season and Wolves need them fit and in form if they are going to push for European football.
If these two can return to the starting XI and both hit the ground running, along with Matheus Cunha, then all is not lost for Wolves as they continue to dream about European football.