Pedro Neto is back to full fitness following a hamstring strain, and Wolves manager Gary O’Neil wants the Portuguese winger to recapture his best form, which begins today on the south coast.
Neto, who is on Arsenal and Manchester City’s radar – the latter apparently considering him as a replacement for Bernardo Silva – is returning to full fitness following a hamstring injury.
O’Neil stated, “He hadn’t been in top shape in a long time, primarily owing to injury. I believed he needed someone who could really believe in what he could do.”
“I spoke to him very early on – I remember talking to him during a break in play at Manchester United when I was stood next to him on the touchline and he was starting to look a little bit tired with 15 minutes to go.”
“I said: ‘You can look as tired as you want – you’re not coming off. You’re too good to come off. Get a couple of deep breaths in because it’s not happening.'”
“He responded well to that faith in him and belief. In fact, I think he appreciated it. He came off an awful lot towards the end of games.”
“I just felt someone as quick as he is and explosive as he is that it’s worth keeping him on because when the opposition begins to get tired, it will open up for him.”
“He’ll have some major opportunities. That is why he has never gotten off. I recall the fitness staff stating to me several times during matches, ‘Pedro’s numbers are pretty high.'”
“I said, ‘Yeah, that’s OK; we’ll rest him tomorrow. He is crucial to what we do. I was eager about working with him and the task. “I still am.”
Neto might start as O’Neil looks to shake things up following a tough FA Cup defeat against Brentford.
The Wolves boss respects Brighton’s Roberto di Zerbi and their style of play. He mentioned that he might adjust his team to deal with Brighton’s game.
He’s also keen for Neto to regain his form. He went on to say: “I didn’t arrive with Pedro already playing like he was.”
“There were some things we needed to help him with, but the most important part is how good he is and showing the world what he has in his locker. I want to assist him reintegrate into the team. We’re facing that again, but in a different form; how do we return to it?”
“That’s what he’s working on, what we’re working on and we’re looking forward to seeing what he does over the next few weeks.”
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