Preview: Time for players to step up as Wolves face Preston

The 2-2 draw with Blackburn - in which Wolves required an injury time Raul Jimenez penalty to earn a point - was already a wake-up call.

In a game they deserved to lose, Wolves defended poorly and did not take their first half chances before then finding it hard to break Blackburn down in the second half.

Add to that the club’s lack of business in the window of late with incomings and outgoings and fans have been left frustrated.

The signing of Jordan James quickly perked supporters up this week and the midfielder should be a strong addition to a squad that needs some support and Championship experience.

But the latest injury news at Wolves leaves the club and Cesar Peixoto in a difficult position.

Both Kieran Trippier and Yerson Mosquera are due to miss between four and six weeks of action with knee and ankle issues respectively, meaning Wolves have lost two of their starters and a particularly experienced one in Trippier.

This blow has been understandably received badly by supporters, who have already been calling for more reinforcements, while Peixoto now needs to navigate a potentially tricky trip to Preston tomorrow without two key players.

Neither player did particularly well against Blackburn, with Mosquera especially underwhelming and partially at fault for the second goal, but in a squad that needs signings and more balance, replacing them both will stir up some debate.

The solution at right-back is likely straightforward, but worrying.

Pedro Lima is talented but has shown so far he needs time to adapt and perhaps will benefit from a loan and regular football, meaning the only realistic option to replace Trippier is Jackson Tchatchoua.

Last summer’s £10million signing was a disaster in the Premier League and has shown little improvement during 12 months at Molineux.

He shows the right attitude, is very fast and has some attributes, but whether he is good enough for the Championship remains to be seen. Tchatchoua did well enough off the bench against Blackburn, first at right-back and then at left-back, but it is fair to say that few fans will have any confidence in him replacing Trippier for the next few weeks.

At centre-back the obvious choice based on quality is to replace Mosquera with Ladislav Krejci or Santi Bueno.

If Peixoto wants a right-footed player than S.Bueno is the option, however his attributes do not line up with the athletic and fast centre-back that Peixoto’s system requires.

However, with the future of both players uncertain, Peixoto may turn to a player who has featured regularly in pre-season in Nasser Djiga.

Whoever does come in for these two players - and any other changes Peixoto wishes to make - they must step up and take their chance.

Wolves need some momentum to engage fans and set them up for many difficult fixtures in September - where they will hopefully have a more balanced squad once the transfer window closes.

New signing James only arrived on Wednesday but is likely to be in the squad and could be a strong bench option, with supporters eagerly anticipating his debut.