Wolves could start 15-year-old against Arsenal after being dragged out of science lesson to train with first-team

Wolves may be forced to take dramatic measures against Arsenal due to injury concerns.
Wolves could start a 15-year-old against Arsenal after dragging him out of a science class to train with the first squad.

Wolves are facing an injury dilemma ahead of their Premier League match against Arsenal on Saturday.

Several first-team players are sidelined, doubtful, or nursing injuries as they prepare to face Mikel Arteta’s side.

Gary O’Neil could be without Craig Dawson, Nelson Semedo, and Rayan Ait-Nouri, among others, for tonight’s match.

Drastic times call for drastic measures, and O’Neil may be compelled to start right-back Wes Okoduwa, who is the club’s youngest player at 15 years and 344 days.

He was excused from a science session on Friday so that he could join the first team and maybe make his Wolves debut against Arsenal.

Okoduwa was on the bench for his team’s 3-0 loss against Newcastle United last month.

On summoning up the boy, who has been linked with a sensational move to Manchester United, the Wolves manager said: “I hope he’s had more fun with us than he would have in science!”

“He is ready for the game. He has had extensive training and is in excellent physical condition.

“It’s perhaps a little too early in his development, but

the circumstance we are in.” O’Neil continued, “I have ten senior outfielders who can start. We’re in arguably the worst circumstance we’ve ever been in.

“But the good news is that there are a lot of young guys playing against Arsenal.

“Some of the younger players may make their debuts right away. To be honest, I don’t know many of the bench players very well.

“They’ve been training with the academy more than with us but they were with us today.”If Okoduwa plays, he will become the Premier League’s second youngest player ever, trailing only Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, who was 15 years and 181 days old when he appeared in their 3-0 victory over Brentford last season.