Cesar Peixoto wants Wolves to turn the page quickly before Sunday afternoon’s trip to Sheffield United, and the strongest sign of that reset is Kieran Trippier edging back into contention. Trippier has started training after missing action since the opening game of the season, but Peixoto said he is not yet ready to start at Bramall Lane.
That matters now because Wolves go into Sheffield United Vs Wolves having taken one point from their last two outings and having conceded six times in that stretch. The team has been asked to treat the game as a line in the sand after a spell that has left them searching for control, rhythm and results.
Peixoto did not hide where he thinks the damage was done. He said he did not like the second half against Birmingham City, even though Wolves scored one goal before the break and Rodrigo had a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper. His message to the squad was simple: learn from the mistakes, then show it on the pitch on Sunday.
The injury picture makes that harder and more interesting at the same time. Bertrand Traore still needs time because he has been working alone, JJ Bellegarde is only into his second week with the group and may be limited to a few minutes, while Yerson Mosquera and Rafiki Said remain out even if both are moving forward. Said is said to be closer and could begin some work with the team next week, but Mosquera still needs more time and is not training with the squad yet.
That leaves Peixoto balancing hope against caution. He said he would like to rush the returning players, but the medical department will not allow it, and he made the wider point that Wolves are stronger when everyone is available. The same logic applies to Trippier: he may travel, and he may be used for a few minutes, but the plan is clearly to ease him back rather than force a full return before he is ready.
There is also a football problem inside the injury problem. Peixoto said Wolves have struggled against long balls, have been too slow to close the block, and have not been strong enough in duels or first and second balls. He also pointed to goals conceded around the edge of the box in recent games, including one against Preston, one against Stoke and two against West Ham United, as proof that the issues are not isolated.
So Sunday is less about a perfect solution than a quick test of whether the response has started. Wolves arrive after an unbeaten August and with the memory of better form still fresh, but the next answer will have to come while several players are still being managed carefully. If Trippier does travel, it will be a sign that the recovery is finally starting to move in the right direction.
