Gary O’Neil provided an injury update on Pedro Neto and discussed the thought process behind replacing the suspended Craig Dawson during a busy press conference on Thursday afternoon.
The head coach revealed Neto is progressing well, but won’t travel to Craven Cottage, likewise Dawson, who has five yellow cards, and O’Neil is assessing his options to replace him in the squad. The impact of Pablo Sarabia last time out, Hugo Bueno’s new contract and Hee Chan Hwang’s form were also topics of conversation, as attention turns to Fulham on Monday night.
On Neto improving every day
“Pedro won’t make Monday. He’s got a little bit more work to do. Pedro will stay with the physios and fitness staff for a bit longer. There’s no exact time frame, but Monday he won’t be available. Hopefully it’s weeks. It’s hard because there’ll be tests done, he goes for other check-ups and scans and you’re sort of guided by them, how quickly he’s healing, but he’s healing very well.
“He’s probably ahead of where they would have wanted him to be at this point. We’re pleased with the progress he’s made, but with the nature of the injury, we need to make sure everything’s ticked off properly before he’s back with the group.”
On injuries across the group
“I think everyone came back OK. Nathan Fraser’s still out. Mario rolled his ankle on international duty but should be fine. Matt Doherty has a tight hamstring but will be fine. Hugo Bueno is back involved, as he was just before, he’s doing well. ‘Hodgey’ is doing well, he’s back on the grass, but it comes a bit too quick for him. We’re pretty much as we were, as long as nothing happens the next couple of days.”
On replacing the suspended Dawson
“We’ve done well in a back five. I’ve liked us in certain games in a back four, but it’s what best suits the game at Fulham really. We’ll start with what I think best suits our group to cause Fulham the most problems and deal with what they offer, and then try and fit the personnel into that. Santi [Bueno] has been here for a long time now, probably ten weeks or so, and is working extremely hard all the time to make himself a real, good option for us from the start of games.
“Obviously, ‘Doc’ is a really good option, Hugo’s a good option, Pablo’s impact off the bench against Tottenham, Sasa did well at Sheffield United, so there’s loads of options and I’ve missed some out. Loads of options to fill in for Craig Dawson and the most like for like would be Santi.”
On Sarabia staking a claim
“Unbelievable goal [against Tottenham]. The quality in it from Pablo was incredible, to kill the first touch the way he does and when the ball’s dropping to his left foot, I’ve seen him score so many goals in training on his left foot, the ball seemed to drop really slowly as I was watching it and I just had a confidence that it was going to end up in the goal.
“Like Sasa at Bournemouth, just really pleased, they’re good finishers, so when the ball drops to them around the goal, you know there’s a good chance that it ends well. Unbelievable first touch, fantastic finish and a real good impact from the bench. His pass and understanding for the second goal was fantastic as well.
“He’s a good guy, he works so hard every day and has a gritty determination to make sure that you know he’s here and ready to work every day. You know he wants to impact the starting eleven, and if not the eleven, he wants to make an impact off the bench, which is all you can ask as a manager.
“We’d obviously had discussions me and Pablo in that week, around how he can impact the group, and it was a fantastic way to do it against a team pushing at the top of the league. So, real good impact from him and I’m sure there will be more because he does have fantastic quality in his feet. He’s one we can definitely use when we need to unlock the door.”
On Hugo Bueno’s new contract
“It’s fantastic firstly that a player who came through the club’s academy has been as successful as he has and earned himself another long-term contract. Obviously, him and Rayan [Ait-Nouri] were competing for that spot and Hugo picked up the injury and has missed a few weeks, but it’ll be really good to get Hugo back in and see him push the boys that are already in the starting eleven and try and force himself back in.
“He’s got the quality, he’s got the work ethic no doubt to impact that starting eleven. Really pleased he’s secured another long-term deal, pleased the club have managed to produce another player from their own academy that can impact the Premier League and delighted that he’s one we get to work with for a bit longer.”
On Hwang continuing to impress
“I’m a huge ‘Channy’ fan. He’s been incredible for me since I arrived, he’s bought into everything I’ve asked and his goals have obviously been good. The way he is around the place, his work ethic, the way he does what you ask him to do always, with a smile on his face and grit and determination, he’s an important player for the team and the club.”
