Nuno delighted with Jonny Castro Otto but fresh Wolves injuries are 'big blow'
Nuno Espirito Santo feels Jonny Castro Otto did 'really well' on his Wolves return – but admits Willy Boly and Daniel Podence's injuries are a big blow.
Wolves welcomed Otto back after several months out with a serious knee injury as they drew 0-0 with Leicester at Molineux.
The Spaniard impressed before being taken off at half-time, as planned before the match, but his long-awaited comeback coincided with hamstring and adductor issues respectively for Boly and Podence, who will both be on the sidelines over the coming weeks.
"It was a decision made before the game. We decided for him to start, and we already decided the minutes he would play," said Nuno on Otto, and replacing him with Ki-Jana Hoever for the second period.
"He's coming back from a serious injury, so it was a dialogue between all of us – the medical staff, the player and the doctor that operated on him.
"We started him, knowing at half-time he would go out. He has not had too many sessions so we could not risk.
"He did well, really well. So, it was a substitution knowing what is in front of us. We must be careful with players returning from injuries."
Otto's return following surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament came sooner than many may have anticipated and was much-welcome.
Boly, though, is expected to be out for around four weeks now while Podence could be missing for up to six weeks.
Nuno said: "It's a big blow for us, Daniel and Boly at the same time. They're going to be out for some time."
It was a solid point for Wolves against the high-flying Foxes, following on from a big victory over Arsenal.
But they had the chances to beat Brendan Rodgers' outfit, with Fabio Silva most notably spurning a top opportunity towards the end.
"I feel it was a very good game. It was a tough game for against a very tough opponent, but we performed well," said Nuno.
"We have a lot of things to improve, of course, but with positives considering the situation we are in.
"With players out, the squad committed and had a reaction – trying to bounce back and improve.
"We have to stick to this spirit, so we can have better moments.
"A clean sheet is always good, and we were able to attack and create chances. We reacted well to the loss of the ball.
"We had good, good chances. Good game for us, with many aspects to correct of course. Proud of the boys. We were committed and organised."
On the performance of Adama Traore, who caught the eye and was the victim of yellow-card challenges from both Caglar Soyuncu and James Maddison, Nuno added: "Adama, everybody knows my opinion on him.
"He is a unique player in the world. There is nobody like him.
"He's very, very special, and he did well. To stop him, Leicester used fouls after fouls.
"He did many, many actions, and he had a clear chance in the box. This is something he is committed to improving. We're pleased with Adama, of course."