WOLVES TEAM NEWS
Wolves turn their focus to the FA Cup on Saturday lunchtime as they host League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town at Molineux. After a three-match unbeaten run in the league, the Old Gold will want a professional performance and a win that keeps their momentum going, even if rotation is likely against lower-league opposition.
Team news could shape the story. Rodrigo Gomes is back in contention after a groin issue. Wolves look set to be without six players, including Toti Gomes and Emmanuel Agbadou. Toti Gomes is expected to remain out until February with a hamstring injury, while Marshall Munetsi (calf) and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (hamstring) are closer to returning but still likely to be a couple of weeks away. Daniel Bentley (ankle) and Leon Chiwome (ACL) are also long-term absentees, while Emmanuel Agbadou is away representing the Ivory Coast at AFCON.
ROB EDWARDS
On team news: “Rodrigo [Gomes] will be part of the matchday squad, which is great. Everyone else should be fine from the other day.”
On Shrewsbury’s first team coach Sean Parrish being Edwards’s cousin: “It’ll be strange because Sean and I have worked closely together in a number of different roles here and at Telford when we did the year there as well. It will be weird. He’s probably best not to talk before and then we can catch up again afterwards. It’ll be funny seeing him in the other in the other dugout.”
Edwards reiterated Wolves “want to keep the momentum” after going unbeaten in three matches, suggesting no wholesale changes will be made for the game.
On tweaking the formation: “We played this shape against Crystal Palace when we came in. We have changed in-game to a back four, but we’re probably best suited at the moment as a three or a five. The top part of the team might change and tweak, which it has done throughout our time here so far. Obviously, personnel-wise, there’s been a couple of little changes and that’s maybe what’s caught people’s attention a little more so than the shape.”
Edwards revealed that he changed training times on Friday because of Storm Goretti to help everyone arrive safely. The Wolves boss also praised the groundstaff for their work clearing the training pitches.
On Pedro Lima’s return: “He’s a wonderful crosser of the ball and that was why we wanted to get him on [against Everton]. [Crossing is] something that we’ve seen in the training in a couple of days that we’ve had him on the training pitch. He looks like a really good technical player, so we’re looking forward to working with him going forward . He’s a young player, so baby steps, but he’s got the right attitude. Physically he looks good and technically I like him a lot.”
Edwards also said he “hasn’t thought” about Jorgen Strand Larsen potentially leaving in the January transfer window. He said he has enjoyed working with the Norway striker and praised his mentality and commitment.
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Wolves have progressed from both of their FA Cup ties against Shrewsbury, needing a replay to do so both times (1978-79 quarter-final and 2018-19 fourth round).
Shrewsbury have lost 14 of their 15 away games against top-flight opponents in the FA Cup, though the one exception was a 1-1 draw with Wolves in March 1979.
Wolves have progressed from seven of their last eight FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, with the exception being a 3-2 home loss to Coventry in the 2023-24 quarter-final.
Shrewsbury are looking to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2019-20, going out at this stage of the competition four times since then.
Anthony Scully has scored four goals in his four starts in the FA Cup (first round onwards), netting a brace in Shrewsbury’s 3-1 win over South Shields in this season’s first round.
FORM GUIDE
HEAD TO HEAD
