Nuno Espirito Santo fears for his players safety on Chorley's pitch

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo admits concerns about Chorley’s pitch ahead of FA Cup clash and fears his players could suffer ‘serious injury’ but insists the state of the turf ‘will not be an excuse for us’

  • Wolves are set to take on Chorley in the FA Cup 4th round on Friday evening 
  • Nuno Espirito Santo fears for the safety of his Wolves players on the pitch
  • He hopes the referee will make the right call to prevent a ‘serious injury’   
  • However, Chorley staff have been working hard to ensure the pitch is playable  
  • Chorley are hoping to recreate the history of 1986 by beating Wolves again

Nuno Espirito Santo fears for his Wolves players’ safety on the Chorley pitch as they try to avoid a repeat of the most humiliating night in their history.

Wolves – then in the Fourth Division – were beaten 3-0 by Chorley in a first-round replay in 1986. With five tiers now separating the sides, another defeat for Wolves, who have won only one of their last seven matches, would bring even more shame than that night 35 years ago.

Nuno is set to pick a strong side against the Conference North team but is concerned about the playing surface, after Storm Cristoph battered the north-west of England.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo (above) fears for his Wolves players’ safety on the Chorley pitch

‘We have seen photos taken in the last couple of days and it looks bad,’ said Nuno. ‘We have to be ready. It will not be an excuse for us.

‘The referee will be there. People will be there to judge whether the pitch is suitable, or whether it can put players’ fitness in danger and cause serious injury, but that is not my decision. I can have an opinion but I am focused on getting my players ready to compete.

‘We know we have to adapt. The warm-up will be very important for the players to adapt to the pitch and make better decisions.’

Chorley ground staff have been working around the clock to ensure the pitch is playable and it has been covered this week to limit the damage. Officials are confident the field will hold up.

Jamie Vermiglio’s men beat Derby in the last round after the Championship club fielded a mixture of fringe and youth players due to a Covid-19 outbreak within the first-team squad.

 The Portuguese boss urged the referee in charge to make the right call on the state of the turf




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