O'Neil on injuries, pushing on and summer spending plans
- Published
Gary O’Neil has been speaking to the media before Wolves host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 BST kick-off).
Here are the main lines from his news conference:
Pedro Neto has returned to training but will not be involved on Saturday because he has "not done enough at high speeds to guarantee it's not a risk for him". However, Santiago Bueno is back and available.
O'Neil said "the change in results and momentum" show how injuries have impacted them this season, adding: "No excuse, of course - we understand all teams have injuries. To have no forwards available for a long part of the season is tough in the Premier League."
On next season: "We want to push on so I don’t want it so be seen as 'yeah we’ve done OK this year and everyone can go off and be happy'. It's something to build on."
He said he believes Crystal Palace's upturn in form is down to both the change in manager and key players returning. He said: "The new coach and fresh ideas, they've got [Ebrechi] Eze and [Michael] Olise back, and [Marc] Guehi coming back. Roy Hodgson did a fantastic job for a very long time. The changes are not only due to form and not only due to a change of coach. It will be a tough test for us - they're on a really good run."
He added: "A last home game that we want to be enjoyable for us and the fans. A chance to go out on a high."
On the club's plans for the summer, O'Neil said there is lots still to be discussed but he "isn't sure how much they will be able to do". He added: "I don't think there will be money available to us if nobody leaves. If we decided not to sell a big player there may be some bits and pieces we can do. The club is expected - in the foreseeable future, maybe not long-term future - to be able to fund itself."
Offering more on spending potential, O'Neil said: "I think it won't be the same as last year where we have to sell loads and make a huge profit, but I wouldn't expect it to be a spending spree."