Rob Edwards hints recall of Wolves star who hasn’t featured since March amid selection crisis
Rob Edwards has hinted that Alfie Pond may be recalled for Wolves’ upcoming match against Brentford on Saturday.
While Wolves are in terrible form at the moment, there were some positive signs in their late 2-1 defeat against Arsenal last weekend.
The visitors more than held their own against the Gunners and were only undone by a late own goal.
Now, supporters will be hoping to see their first Premier League win of the season at Molineux on the weekend as they host an out-of-form Brentford side.
However, Wolves go into the match in a bit of a selection crisis, with multiple centre-backs out of the tie.
Alfie Pond could be recalled for Wolves vs Brentford
With players now on international duty for AFCON, Wolves will be without Emmanuel Agbadou and Tawanda Chirewa for the foreseeable future as they look to impress for their countries.
As a result, the duo are out for the Brentford match, alongside Yerson Mosquera, who is suspended for one match for picking up five yellow cards.
Therefore, Edwards has an issue at centre-back, with the manager only having four first-team options – Toti Gomes, Santiago Bueno, Ladislav Krejci and Matt Doherty, with the latter being a natural full-back.
- Two of Wolves’ three starting centre-backs from the Arsenal defeat are set to be unavailable for the Brentford game
- As a result, Edwards may have to look into the academy to find suitable backup
- This could see Pond make a return to the fold
As a result, when questioned about his defensive options, the manager said in his press conference on 19 December: “We have the bodies and it’s an opportunity for other people. We have enough.”
Therefore, this could be hinting at a return for Pond to the matchday squad.
The young defender has not featured in Wolves’ first team since their loss against Bournemouth in the FA Cup back on 1 March.
On defensive replacements: “We have the bodies and it’s an opportunity for other people. We have enough.” #wwfc
— Liam Keen (@LiamKeen_Star) December 19, 2025
However, since then, the 21-year-old has regularly played for the Under 21s side as he looks to return to the first-team fold.
Now, given the lack of central defenders needed for Edwards’ back three system, surely Pond is set for a return against Brentford, even if he is just sat on the bench as a back-up.
Rob Edwards provides Hugo Bueno injury update
Going into the match, Wolves’ other absentees are Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Marshall Munetsi, Rodrigo Gomes and Hugo Bueno.
While the former three stars are all out with long-term issues, Bueno is hoped to be back sooner.
The left-back missed the Arsenal defeat last weekend, with Edwards confirming that he should be back next week.
He said: “It will also be too soon for Hugo Bueno, but he should be ready next week.”