Nuno delighted with Jonny Castro Otto's swift Wolves recovery
Nuno Espirito Santo has hailed Wolves' medical staff for working around the clock to get Jonny Castro Otto back from injury earlier than anticipated.
Spanish international Otto returned to the fold for Saturday's 2-0 victory against Bournemouth at Molineux.
The left-wing-back had been expected to be on the shelf for six weeks with a knee injury, but took just four to recover – and Nuno is delighted to have him available for a busy festive period.
"The initial diagnosis was not very good. It was supposed to be more weeks," said the Wolves chief.
"He put everything of himself (into getting back fit).
"The medical department works 24 hours a day, and they give me back an option.
"This is what is most important – when you have all the options available in our squad.
"It's what makes us build a strong XI."
Otto, 24, suffered the injury – a partial ligament tear in his right knee – while away with Spain, as they beat Bosnia 1-0 in a friendly in November.
The Spanish FA said it was an 'estimated absence of five or six weeks'.
Another international, Mexican striker Raul Jimenez, opened the scoring in the success over the Cherries.
He is now on five goals and five assists for the campaign.
And Nuno feels his performances as of late have set a template for the rest of the forwards to follow.
"I think everybody has to up their game," he said.
"I've said more than once that a player, a team, has ups and downs.
"You have to realise and try to help. To have more highs than downs, that's what we work for."
Diogo Jota set up Jimenez's early strike but was then forced off with a knock.
The 22-year-old was bundled over by Steve Cook just before the break.
He was unable to continue, clutching his hamstring as he left the pitch, and replaced by fellow Portuguese attacker Helder Costa, who set up Ivan Cavaleiro's clincher in added-on time.
Nuno is hoping Jota's injury is nothing serious – after revealing last season's top scorer did not need to be taken to hospital.
"We have to check. He was not able to continue the game," he added.
"Now, we have to assess him. The doctor has to assess him, and we hope that it's nothing too serious."
