Sheffield United v Wolves preview: Tactician Gary O’Neil must find a way to replace Pedro Neto

Neto is leading the top flight table for assists, with seven so far this season, and has been a key figure for O’Neil’s side.

With so much importance placed on his shoulders, the forward’s hamstring injury last week against Newcastle was a major blow.

O’Neil seemed upbeat on the severity of the injury after the game and Neto himself posted on social media saying he would be sidelined for ‘a couple of weeks’, but regardless of the length of the lay-off, Neto is not expected to play any part in tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield United.

As a result, O’Neil must at least find a short-term fix and he has a number of very different options at his disposal.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was close to recovering from a calf strain in time to play against Newcastle and is hoped to be back for tomorrow’s game. As a forward-thinking midfielder, who has played out wide, he could fit the bill.

Pablo Sarabia is more of a natural fit, but he is out of form and out of favour at Wolves, while Matheus Cunha could play on the wing, with either Sasa Kalajdzic or Fabio Silva coming in as a number 9.

Alongside those options, Cunha could also play alongside another striker, with Hwang out wide, and either Rayan Ait-Nouri or Matt Doherty pushing further forward as a winger.

However, one solution could offer Wolves the control and creativity they will need to beat the Blades.

In the opening 10 Premier League games this season, United have managed an average of just under 38 per cent possession, while Wolves have averaged 47 per cent.

Under O’Neil, Wolves have become more exciting to watch and more dangerous in attack, while also looking to hold some control over their opponents.

Wolves are likely to have the majority of possession at Bramall Lane and would benefit from bringing Tommy Doyle into a midfield three. The summer signing is the one midfielder Wolves have with an impressive range of passing, and with the wing-backs providing width and Hwang Hee-chan and Cunha together up top, it has potential for success.

It would also give Doyle a deserved start for good substitute appearances and it would come against his old team, who he spent last season on-loan at as they achieved promotion.

“It was incredible, I had a great time there – the lads, the staff and the fans were so good with me,” Doyle said.

“When you achieve stuff it obviously makes things a lot better but it was a great period for me and a great stepping stone to lead me to where I am now.

“I’m really looking forwards to it. I’m excited to go back to Bramall Lane because I had a lot of special memories there last season and it’s a club that I hold very close to my heart.

“It will be good to go back there, but, of course, we’re going there for the three points and I want to win the game.”