Wolves have concerns over the fitness of debutants Bruno Jordao and Meritan Shabani after they were stretchered off against Reading. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men will play Aston Villa in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after overcoming the Royals on penalties, but it came at a cost with both players now facing time on the sidelines.
Jordao sustained an ankle injury after a challenge with Charlie Adam and Shabani’s is a mystery after he buckled, unable to straighten his leg with no one around him as Wolves advanced 4-2 on spot kicks after the tie ended 1-1.
The full extent of the damage has yet to be revealed, but Nuno admits Shabani’s in particular does not look good. “Shabani looks like a long one, he is now being analysed by the doctor, then we will know what happened but it looks bad. We don’t know yet,” said Nuno. “Jordao’s is a different situation – someone fell on him and he twisted his ankle.”
Earlier, midfielder Jordao put Wolves ahead with a low drive from 20 yards that somehow squirmed through goalkeeper Joao Neves Virginia in the 28th minute before being carried off just 13 minutes later.
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Lucas Boye headed Reading level in the ninth minute of time added on after substitute Shabani – another Wolves debutant – was forced off.
In the shootout, captain for the night Ruben Neves, Jese Vallejo, Ryan Bennett and Ruben Vinagre kept their nerve to score for Wolves, while substitute George Puscas and Matt Miazga netted for the visitors and John Swift’s effort was saved by John Ruddy and Boye ballooned over.
With Jordao and Shabani off and all three substitutes used, Wolves ended the game with 10 men.
Regarding the performance, Nuno said: “The first half was good, well played. We played well and created chances with well-played situations and we defended well. “The second half was not so good and after, when we went to 10 men, and Reading were pushing, it becomes harder.”
