Wolves defender Santi Bueno urged to stay ready
Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil has urged Santi Bueno to stay ready for when his Premier League chance arrives.
The summer signing has played for the first team just once since he joined from Girona when he put in an unconvincing display in the Carabao Cup loss to Ipswich.
Fellow centre-backs Craig Dawson, Max Kilman and Toti Gomes have all been ahead of Bueno in the pecking order as the 24-year-old has played the occasional under-21s game to stay fit.
O’Neil admits the player is still working to adapt to life in England and to improve his match fitness.
“It’s obviously difficult (for him),” O’Neil said. “He was thrown in for the Ipswich game and it was his first game anywhere this season.
“He played a part in an under-21 game and it’s now difficult during the season for him to get enough match minutes to get up to speed.
“That’s the idea behind training as hard as we do, to try and make sure the ones that aren’t playing are ready.
“He’s coming along well and has trained really well. He’s trying to keep closing the gap to the ones that have had a smoother summer and played more football.
“So when your moment comes, you’re ready.”
Bueno missed the win over Spurs with a small knock and did not travel to meet up with the Uruguay national team in the international break.
But the defender is not expected to be sidelined for long and could be in-line to play against Fulham, with Dawson facing a one-match ban.
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