'Change a lot' - Cesar Peixoto confirms Wolves plan for Everton cup clash

Wolves face the Toffees on Merseyside with Peixoto eager for his team to put in a strong performance against Premier League opposition.

But he is also acutely aware of the major Championship fixture looming on the horizon. Wolves host rivals Albion at Molineux on Sunday for what will be just the second derby with supporters in attendance for 14 years.

And while Peixoto’s mindset is to try and win every match, he also knows some games are bigger than others, with the league clearly the club’s top priority this season.

“Our bigger goal is the Championship. We want to change the team for sure,” he said.

“We want to see what we are capable of doing and we will try to put out a competitive team because I have a lot of confidence in all the players.

“For sure we're going to fight to win all the time. But we're going to change a lot, to look toward the West Brom match also.”

Peixoto will name his starting XI with the aim of both resting players and giving others the chance to get up to speed.

The head coach has already confirmed Jordan James will make just his second Wolves start in midfield, while fellow new arrivals Ghislain Konan and Sean Neave could be named in a starting XI for the first time. In the former’s case, that would also represent a debut.

Goalkeeper Joao Virginia is another who could make his first appearance, against the club where he spent six seasons before leaving in summer 2025.

Teenager Saheed Olagunju, who impressed on debut in last month’s second round win at Sheffield Wednesday, may again be drafted into central defence.

Wolves have received positive news on Nasser Djiga, after it emerged the reason for the 23-year-old’s early withdrawal in Sunday’s win at Sheffield United was nothing more than cramp.

Peixoto also has an interesting choice to make at right-back. The head coach’s clear preference is for Kieran Trippier to be ready to start against Albion but the veteran also needs minutes on the pitch, having only made his return from injury on Sunday.

Wolves had a full week to prepare for that match and Peixoto believes the benefits of work done on the training ground were there to see at Bramall Lane.

He does not have the same luxury heading into the derby but is determined to make the best of the situation.

“It is better if you have time to train, like we did last week,” he said. “And the team grows in terms of what I analysed in the last game. We grow, we win, it's better.

“But it is what it is. We have to manage the situation. The Championship is like that. We know that, we have to recover.

“This is why I want all the time two players per position to face these kind of games.

“We're going to rotate not only because we want the starting XI more strong against West Brom.

“It’s because I think it's important to put minutes in some players, to put in the same level.

“We need all the players. Today we show the players who come from the bench are very, very important to win the game.

“I want to put confidence, put minutes and take space for a player to show his quality in games. I have confidence in all.”