Wolverhampton Wanderers face a nervous wait over the fitness of midfielder Fer Lopez after the 22-year-old was sent home from Spain's Under-21 international camp with a minor injury issue, according to a report from BBC Sport.

What happened on international duty

Lopez featured for Spain's Under-21 side in their opening game of the international break against Finland, but he was absent from the squad that faced San Marino on Thursday. The Spanish federation confirmed he had left the camp to return to England, where Wolves' medical staff will carry out an assessment to determine the extent of the problem.

The nature of the injury has not been specified, and the club have not yet given a prognosis. Given it is described as a minor issue, there is cause for cautious optimism at Molineux, but the timing is far from ideal with Championship action resuming at the weekend.

A key figure in Wolves' campaign so far

Lopez has been one of Wolves' standout performers in the second tier so far this season, contributing four goals in seven league appearances. That kind of return from midfield is a considerable asset, and his absence, even for one match, would represent a meaningful blow to the side's attacking output.

His form will have attracted attention across the division, and supporters will be eager for clarity on whether he is available to travel to the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.

Middlesbrough awaits on Saturday

Wolves are next in action when they visit Middlesbrough for a 15:00 BST kick-off on Saturday. The trip to the north-east is the kind of fixture that can define a club's early-season momentum, and the availability of a player in Lopez's form will inevitably shape the manager's selection options and approach.

Should the assessment clear him to play, Wolves will be relieved to have him back in contention. If there is any doubt, the club are likely to err on the side of caution rather than risk aggravating what is reported to be a minor complaint.

The broader picture

International breaks carry an inherent risk for Championship clubs: players travel across the world, training loads shift, and the timetable for returning to club football can be tight. For Wolves, this break has produced at least one concern to manage ahead of a busy run of fixtures in the second tier.

The club will hope that Lopez's early return to England means he has had more time to recover than teammates who stay with their national squads until the final game, and that the medical team can provide reassurance well ahead of the Middlesbrough match.

Further updates on his condition are expected from Wolves in the days leading up to Saturday's fixture.

Frequently asked

Is Fer Lopez fit to play for Wolves against Middlesbrough?
Lopez returned early from Spain's Under-21 camp with a minor injury and is being assessed by Wolves' medical staff. No official prognosis has been given ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture at the Riverside.
How many goals has Fer Lopez scored for Wolves this season?
According to BBC Sport, Lopez had scored four goals in seven Championship league appearances for Wolves before the international break.
Why did Fer Lopez leave the Spain Under-21 squad?
Lopez picked up a minor injury during the international break. He played against Finland but was not included for the game against San Marino, and has since returned to England for assessment by Wolves.