The long-awaited return of Championship action sees Wolves head to Middlesbrough for a clash between two of the division’s early pacesetters.
Roll Call
Cesar Peixoto confirmed that Fer Lopez and Jordan James returned from international duty not 100 per cent fit in his press conference. Lopez suffered a knee injury, while James reported a foot issue while with Wales. Both trained on Friday and will be assessed by the medical team and Peixoto and his staff before a decision is made on Boro. Rafiki Said is now ready to get more minutes, so may make his long-awaited debut, but Yerson Mosquera requires more time to get fit, likewise Raul Jimenez whose return date is still unclear. Elsewhere, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde played more minutes for Haiti than expected, so it being managed, having recently returned from injury.
Boro will be without centre back Alfie Jones for the next three games due to injury, after he was withdrawn early against Norwich City and missed the last two games. Of Boro’s internationals returning this week, only David Strelec didn’t train on Thursday due to a late return, with everyone else checking back in fit.
The form guide
Prior to the extended international break Wolves had won back-to-back Championship games, both 1-0, firstly at Sheffield United thanks to Jimenez’s late strike and then memorably in the Black Country derby, with Fer Lopez scoring the only goal. This will be Wolves’ fifth away day of the campaign, with three points also coming at Preston North End and one at Birmingham City, while the Old Gold’s only league defeat so far came at West Ham United at the start of September.
Like Wolves, Middlesbrough have only lost once this season and none in their past six in the Championship. Prior to the international break they scored late to earn a point in a 2-2 draw at Birmingham City, and that was just days after coming from two goals down to secure the same result against Millwall at the Riverside – their most recent home game. That draw was Boro’s only dropped points on home soil this term, winning their other three outings against Lincoln City, West Brom and Norwich City.
Hallmark of champions
Wolves’ 2017/18 title-winning campaign had plenty of highs, but the win at the Riverside at Easter became particularly significant. Boro were in the mix for promotion themselves, but the Old Gold cruised to a half-time lead thanks to goals from Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro. However, the game turned to carnage once Ruben Neves, and then Matt Doherty were sent off during a chaotic second period, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo’s side down to nine men. Patrick Bamford reduced the lead and the hosts piled on the pressure, but Wolves held on for a priceless three points. The sight of Romain Saiss, who was only due to play an hour due to illness but completed the 90, flat out on the floor at full-time has since become iconic.
Nuno said: “It’s a very important victory. A massive result for us at a tough place to come. In the first half we controlled the game. In the second half, everything changed but we showed the character that we should and the organisation we must have in all the games. Even with two men less, the boys did really well. They stuck together and helped each other.
“The boys made history. Throughout the season they are making a lot of important moments in the history of the club, but we want to keep on going and keep on improving. History and records are made to be broken, and this team has all the qualities to do it.”
Team | Ruddy, Doherty, Douglas, Bennett, Cavaleiro (N'Diaye 56), Neves, Bony, Coady ©, Costa (Gibbs-White 83), Afobe (Bonatini 63), Saiss.
“I was seeing stars." Romain Saiss on that night in Middlesbrough. 🎧 https://t.co/iS15r92n4q https://t.co/OseIGaKXEg
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 9, 2026
