Wolves' Lopez 'not 100%' to start at Middlesbrough

Wolves head coach Cesar Peixoto said Fer Lopez was "not 100%" certain to play against Middlesbrough on Saturday, adding he would make a final decision closer to kick-off. The forward has been a key player for Wolves so far, scoring his fifth goal of the season in the win over bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion in the Black Country Derby in the final game before the international break. During his time away with the Spain Under-21 squad, Lopez was sent back to Wolves early with an injury, reported at the time as being "physical discomfort". At Friday's press briefing, Peixoto kept his cards close to his chest over the 22-year-old's likely availability. "Not 100%," he told BBC Radio WM. "I don't do mind games. [He has] pain, a little pain through the training but I have to think and talk with him until the last moment to see if it's better to the team he plays in this game or doesn't play." Peixoto said with three matches in the next six days, he has to think about whether it is worth the risk. "We have to manage that situation with the medical department and to take the best decision for the team," he said. Peixoto is also waiting to see whether Jordan James will be ready after returning from Wales duty with a slight foot issue, while Haiti's Jean-Ricner Bellegarde may need resting after reporting back from playing in Costa Rica. "I talk with the national team manager of Bellegarde and tried to manage his game time," Peixoto said. "When we heard about Fer, we tried to speak to the Spanish team and bring him back as soon as possible and get him to recover. "We've got a great group and we grew up a lot in the last three weeks." Latest Wolves news, analysis and fan views Ask about Wolves - what do you want to know?