Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Alfie Pond is standing by for a possible Premier League debut against Liverpool on Saturday with a virus threatening to disrupt manager Gary O’Neil’s plans.
The 20-year-old centre-back has figured twice in the Carabao Cup for Wolves but has yet to figure in the Premier League with his highest league experience coming in League Two for Exeter City and Stockport County.
But he is set to be in the squad to face Arne Slot’s side tomorrow at Molineux with O’Neil hinting he could even get on the pitch.
O’Neil has lost defender Yerson Mosquera this week to a knee injury that is likely to end his season while Toti has not returned to full training after a hamstring injury and faces a late fitness test tomorrow.
Illness could also rule out other defensive candidates and give Pond an unexpected chance.
“There’s quite a bit of illness actually,” said O’Neil. “There’s probably a few that will need to check tomorrow on how they’re feeling.
“There’s a little bit of a virus going around so Dr Kai Win has been busy this week trying to help the lads feel a little bit better.
“Quite a few missed training today, so we’ll see how they are tomorrow.”
Mosquera faces surgery in the next few days to repair damage to two ligaments in his left knee, with his recovery expected to last beyond the end of the season.
That leaves Craig Dawson, Santiago Bueno and Toti as O’Neil’s only senior central defenders.
“I’m absolutely devastated for Yerson because of the energy and the life he brings us,” said O’Neil.
“No matter how things go each week, he gives absolutely everything, and he always attacks things and does things in the right way.
“From a team and a squad point of view it’s a big blow to us, obviously. But with that comes opportunity for others.
“Alfie Pond, for instance, gets a step closer — a boy that was out on loan last year at Stockport.
“He is extremely excited this week that he’s up and around it and has a chance of featuring in Premier League games.”
(Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
