Bueno, Traore, Dawson - Wolves injury updates and possible return dates ahead of Bournemouth clash

It has been a challenging season so far at Wolves as Gary O’Neil’s men have spent the vast majority of the campaign sat at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

However, there have been some positive signs in recent weeks after an unbeaten run of four games took Wolves out of the relegation zone. A pair of draws against Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace were followed up by a 2-0 home win against Southampton before the confidence really began to flow as Matheus Cunha, Goncalo Guedes and Joao Gomes all netted in a 4-1 victory at Fulham on Saturday.

Many of Wolves troubles during the early months of the season can be put down to the severe injury issues that hit O’Neil’s ranks and have continued to do so throughout the campaign. There are some signs of an improvement in the situation - but when can the Wolves boss expect to have some key players back in contention?

Sasa Kalajdzic

Injuries has consistently hampered Kalajdzic’s attempts to make a big impact at Molineux and the Austrian striker has not appeared this season after tearing his cruciate ligament during a loan spell with Eintracht Frankfurt. He recently stepped up his recovery and there is some hope he could return to contention early in the new year. Speaking last month, O’Neil said: “He's back on the grass, which is great for him. He's now starting to get to the more functional aspects of his rehab. Over the next few months, we'll be integrating more ball work and then hopefully get him back into training and matches in the not-too-distant future.” Expected return date: Early January 2025.

Yerson Mosquera

The Colombian centre-back looked set to play a major role within the Wolves side this season before a cruciate ligament injury brought a premature end to his campaign after just five appearances. Speaking last month, O’Neil said of the injury: “It’s really early days, and I don’t want to put a definitive time scale on it, but everything went very well with the surgery. Over the next days and weeks, we’ll start to really map out what the rehab looks like.” Expected return date: Summer 2025

Enso Gonzalez

The Paraguayan winger made his Premier League debut with a late substitute appearance against Crystal Palace in May - but his second season with the club appears to be all but over after he suffered a serious knee injury. O’Neil admitted Gonzalez is ahead of Mosquera and is ‘right on track’ with his recovery. He said: “He's beginning his strength phase. He's a few months ahead of Yerson. He responded really well to the initial surgery and is back in the gym working hard, so he's right on track with where we'd expect him to be.” Expected return date: Summer 2025

Boubacar Traore

The Ghana international has made just one appearance this season and that came in a Carabao Cup win against Burnley in August. A meniscus injury means he will not return until next month and O’Neil has already suggested Traore is likely be back in contention by Christmas. He said: “Boubacar is still out - on crutches at the moment - had a repair to his knee and will probably be out until around Christmas.” Expected return date: Late December.

Pablo Sarabia

The Spanish winger was not involved in Wolves matchday squad for the win at Fulham after suffering a calf injury. However, there is some hope he will return for the home clash with Bournemouth on Saturday. Expected return date: Saturday 30th November.

Sam Johnstone and Craig Dawson

The experienced duo both missed Saturday’s win at Fulham with a virus but are expected to return to contention for the home game against Bournemouth this weekend. Expected return date: Saturday 30th November.

Santiago Bueno

The defender also missed the win at Craven Cottage with what was believed to be a groin injury - but much like Sarabia, Johnstone and Dawson, Bueno is expected to return to contention for this weekend’s meeting with Bournemouth. Expected return date: Saturday 30th November.