Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt an injury blow as Rayan Ait-Nouri has been withdrawn from France’s U21s squad, says Benjamin Quarez of Goal. The 19-year-old will be replaced by Nicolas Cozza after picking up a muscle injury and now faces a race to be fit in time for our meeting with Southampton on November 21.
What has Nouri done?
According to L’Equipe (h/t Sport Witness), Nouri has an adductor injury that was identified on Monday when he was expected to join the rest of the U21s. He’s made three appearances for France’s youth side but will now miss their U21 European Championship qualifiers with Liechtenstein (November 12) and Switzerland (November 16).
Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping Nouri isn’t out for long as he’s impressed at left-back. The 19-year-old has made two Premier League appearances since joining Wolves on loan from SCO Angers in October, scoring one goal. Nouri is due to return to France at the end of the season, but we have the option to make the move permanent.
He’s won one aerial duel, completed 82.7% of his 81 passes, made three successful dribbles, whipped in four crosses with 25% finding a teammate, taken two shots, made three clearances, blocked two crosses, won two freekicks, given away two fouls, made two tackles, has been dribbled past once and made one interception.
What will Nuno do without Nouri?
It remains to be seen whether Nouri will be fit to face Southampton, but Nuno does have alternatives if he misses out. Although Jonny Otto is still recovering from a knee injury, new-boy Marcal could start at left-back. Max Kilman and Nelson Semedo are also able to operate in the makeshift role, so we have three players waiting in the wings.
Although the French defender has just shy of two weeks to return, WebMD’s estimated recovery time for adductor injuries suggest he could be out of action for a handful of weeks. Here’s hoping it’s only a strain and we could see Nouri back before the month is up.
