Express & Star

Ivan Cavaleiro almost back in the Wolves pack

Wolves have been handed a big boost as it emerged wing wonder Ivan Cavaleiro is close to a return.

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Cavaleiro is yet to feature in the Premier League after suffering a back injury in the gym during pre-season.

But the 24-year-old is now pain-free and is expected to take part in full training soon.

It is just a case of him getting back to match fitness.

“He’s making progress. One of the good things is that he is starting to train almost 100 per cent with the team,” said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

“It’s good. First of all, the process was trying to get him out of pain.

“I think that the medical department managed that, achieved that.”

Wolves’ head of medical Phil Hayward revealed in the middle of last month that he expected Cavaleiro to be out for up to six weeks.

Nuno could not give an exact time frame as to when the Portuguese attacker will be back involved, such as Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City, but added: “Now he is back training with the team, to grow his fitness levels and get back again as soon as possible – an option for us.

“There is no time frame. Time will tell but we cannot do it with the pressure of trying to rush things. It’s step by step.”

Cavaleiro mostly featured from the bench over pre-season amid speculation he would be sold, especially after Wolves forked out a club record £18milllion to sign Adama Traore from Middlesbrough.

He featured for 32 minutes against Stoke, missed the defeat at Derby and then came on as a sub for the final 13 minutes against Villarreal – but Nuno later revealed his lack of minutes was down to his back problem.

He scored nine goals as Nuno’s side took the Championship by storm last term – picking up 99 points and clinching the title.

Cavaleiro joined Wolves from Monaco in August 2016 for then a club record fee of £7m.