Ryan Bennett is nearing recovery from a groin injury but is likely to be rested when Wolverhampton Wanderers lock horns with Braga on Thursday. The 29-year-old has played four minutes of Premier League football since mid-October but could return for Sunday’s meeting with Sheffield United.
Nuno Espirito Santo won’t want to risk Bennett before then, so he’s likely to turn to Leander Dendoncker, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss at the heart of the defence.
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The former England u21 international has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season, featuring only three times in the league since the beginning of September.
Bennett started in Wolves’ first four games of the campaign – 0-0 draw with Leicester City (August 11), 1-1 draw with Manchester United (August 19), 1-1 draw with Burnley (August 25), 3-2 defeat to Everton (September 1) but has been in and out of the side ever since due to injury woes.
His only other appearances in the league have come in Wolves’ 2-0 win over Manchester City (October 6), 1-1 draw with Southampton (October 19) and 2-1 win over Aston Villa (November 10). Bennett will be short of match fitness upon his return, so he may not be thrust back into the starting lineup.
