Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt a significant injury blow this month, as Boubacar Traore looks set to be sidelined for between one and two months.

What's the word?

The on-loan Metz midfielder was missing from Wolves' squads to face Gillingham and Everton when the Premier League resumed but was back on the bench against Manchester United, so it was presumed that he was back fit.

However, he was then missing from the squad when the Old Gold faced Aston Villa earlier this week and Julen Lopetegui would confirm following the game that he would be out for between one and two months.

He said:

"We have an injury with Bouba for, I think, one or two months. It’s very bad news for us. We only have four midfielders now in the squad. We have to have more."

Lopetegui will be gutted

Since joining from Metz in the summer on a loan-to-buy deal, the young midfielder has gone on to make nine appearances in all competitions for the Old Gold, scoring a "special" goal in the Carabao Cup win over Leeds United.

Despite his lack of appearances in the top flight, Traore ranks in the top 10 for tackles, interceptions and blocks in Wolves' squad so far this season, which emphasises the impact he has had during his little time on the pitch.

The Mali international's energy in midfield would have been a useful asset for Lopetegui to have as he looks to pull Wolves away from the relegation places over the next few months and the Spaniard is clearly disappointed that he is going to be unavailable.

Fortunately for the former Sevilla boss, the January transfer window is now open so he could bring in a replacement for Traore this month, as the Old Gold clearly need reinforcements in that area, having also lost defensive-minded midfielder Leander Dendoncker during the summer window.

It is a shame for Traore that he won't be able to build on a promising start to life at Molineux but the young midfielder will no doubt be working hard to get back to full fitness as soon as possible so he can play his part in dragging Wolves out of trouble this season.