Only five players have bettered Matheus Cunha's 10 Premier League goals between the start of the season and the end of the year, but Wolves' top scorer will make his first start in January.
The former Brazil striker was banned for an infamous incident following the home defeat to Ipswich Town on 14 December.
If proof was needed of how much he will be missed, the 25-year-old midfielder scored in a 3-0 win over Leicester City and provided an assist in a 2-0 home win over Manchester United. Their next two games.
How long will Cunha be out? What games will you miss? How much was the fine? 101GreatGoals.com has the details.
BREAKING: Matheus Cunha charged with misconduct after Wolverhampton Wanderers v Ipswich Town Premier League match 🚨 pic.twitter.com/k56pO3ZQId
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 17 2024
When was Cunha suspended? How many games will he miss?
Cunha will miss Wolves' first game of 2025, the first game of 2025 when Nottingham Forest travel to Molineux on January 6 (8pm GMT) for Wolves.
Wolves have dropped one point above the relegation zone since Vitor Pereira's arrival as manager, but Portugal's best performance has been a five-game winning streak, starting in second place. Early testing.
Forest have won their last three away games, with 2-0 wins over Brentford and Everton, followed by Manchester United's 3-2 win.
Pereira will be without Cunha to travel to Championship side Bristol City in the FA Cup third round on January 11 (12pm).
The Robins have tested Wolves in their first 12 league home games with two wins in four days against Sheffield United and Luton and Portsmouth.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 31 2024
Why ban Cunha? Ipswich Clash explained.
Kanha's goal in the 72nd minute earned Wolves a 1-1 draw with Ipswich, and Jet Taylor scored the winner four minutes into extra time.
Full-time fury rocked Wolves' survival prospects in what was former manager Gary O'Neil's last game in charge.
In the footage, which has sparked widespread criticism, Cunha is seen elbowing an Ipswich staff member and pulling off their glasses as he chases wide man Rayan Ait-Nouri down the tunnel.
Despite being injured during Wolves' final game in 2024, Cunha was investigated by the Football Association and fined £80,000 along with a suspension.
Pereira explained that Cunha was withdrawn at half-time with a hamstring problem in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham, feeling something in his number 10 and “not feeling well running”.