Wolves host Sunderland at Molineux with relegation confirmed and injuries mounting

Key facts

• Wolverhampton Wanderers are bottom of the Premier League with 17 points, relegation confirmed.
• Sunderland sit 12th with 46 points.
• Wolves have lost three consecutive matches ahead of the fixture.
• Jose Sa and Ladislav Krejci are ruled out for Wolves due to injury.
• Sunderland winger Jocelin Ta Bi could return after ankle surgery recovery.
• Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo are also nearing returns for Sunderland.
• The match is at Molineux on Saturday, 1st May 2026.
• Wolves head coach Rob Edwards says training levels are 'through the roof' but quality is lacking.

Relegated Wolves face Sunderland amid injury crisis

Wolverhampton Wanderers, already relegated from the Premier League with 17 points from 36 matches, host Sunderland at Molineux on Saturday. The visitors sit 12th with 46 points, safe from relegation but with little to play for beyond pride. Wolves have lost three consecutive games and are missing two key players through injury. Head coach Rob Edwards confirmed that goalkeeper Jose Sa is a doubt with an ankle problem, while defender Ladislav Krejci will not be fit for the match. Sa has been playing through pain for some time, and Edwards indicated the club may rest him for the next one or two games to allow proper recovery. Krejci, who joined in parts of training this week, is expected back the following week.

Edwards defends effort but concedes quality gap

Despite the team's lowly position, Edwards insisted that the effort of his players cannot be questioned. 'Every day, they’re coming in, they’re giving their absolute all and from when we first came in to now, the training levels are through the roof,' he said. 'That side of it can’t be questioned, certain bits can be – a bit of quality – and we’ll always make mistakes.' The head coach acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, having left a winning club to take over at Wolves. 'I left a really good role and a club that was winning and came into a role where I knew we were not going to keep everyone happy this year,' he said. 'I knew that and I accepted it, so I’m going to have to stay strong.'

Sunderland boosted by potential return of Ta Bi

Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris said winger Jocelin Ta Bi could be included in the matchday squad at Molineux after training with teammates this week. Ta Bi injured his ankle on his full Premier League debut against Fulham earlier this season and underwent surgery, with initial expectations that he would miss the rest of the campaign. However, his recovery has been faster than anticipated. positive news on Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo, who have stepped up their recoveries at the Academy of Light. While a home match against Manchester United next weekend may be a more realistic target for their return, all three players could be involved against Wolves. Sunderland have been short of natural wingers in recent weeks, and Le Bris cautioned that the trio will need time to regain full match sharpness.

Wolves seek to end losing run for fans

Edwards praised the support of Wolves fans despite the team's struggles. 'Their support has been incredible. I’m absolutely fine with them being angry and venting their frustration because we’re bottom the league and we’ve lost three games in a row,' he said. 'The fact they’re turning up the way they are, the noise they made during that game last week was brilliant from the start, right the way throughout the game to the end.' The head coach acknowledged that the only way to appease supporters is to win matches. 'In the end, we’ve got to win games of football, so we’ve got to find a winning team again,' he said. Wolves have not won since before their relegation was confirmed, and Edwards is under pressure to deliver a positive result before the season ends.

Le Bris wary of Wolves despite their position

Le Bris described Wolves as a difficult opponent, noting their talented individuals and effective style of play. 'They’ve done incredibly well and have had a fantastic couple of years, so deserve a lot of credit. It’s going to be a very difficult game,' he said. 'They’ve got some really talented individuals, they’ve got power and athleticism in the team, and an effective way of playing.' He acknowledged that Sunderland had a difficult time in their last outing but expects them to bounce back. 'I know they had a difficult time last time out, but they’ll be looking to try and bounce back from that,' he said. 'It’ll be a tough game, as they all are, but look where we are in the league, every game for us is a big challenge.'

Outlook: a test of character for both sides

For Wolves, the match is an opportunity to restore some pride after a dismal season. Edwards has stressed that the players are giving everything in training, but results have not followed. The absence of Sa and Krejci weakens a already fragile squad, and the team must find a way to convert effort into points. Sunderland, meanwhile, are looking to build momentum ahead of next season. The potential return of Ta Bi, Traoré, and Angulo offers Le Bris more attacking options, though he warned that immediate impact is unlikely after long lay-offs. The match at Molineux will test both teams' resilience and provide a glimpse of their respective trajectories.

The bottom line

• Wolves are bottom of the Premier League with 17 points and relegation already confirmed.
• Sunderland sit 12th with 46 points, safe from relegation.
• Wolves are without Jose Sa and Ladislav Krejci due to injury.
• Sunderland's Jocelin Ta Bi could return after ankle surgery; Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo are also nearing fitness.
• Rob Edwards insists effort is not the issue but admits a lack of quality.
• Régis Le Bris expects a tough game and warns that returning wingers need time to regain form.