Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters barely had time to enjoy the international break before an unwelcome piece of news landed: Fer Lopez had returned early from duty with Spain Under-21s reporting what was described as "physical discomfort." According to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor, the reaction across Wolverhampton was something close to a collective eye-roll.

The word from the club was that the issue is minor and probably not serious. Manager Cesar Peixoto is expected to shed more light at his Friday press conference, and the teamsheet for Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough will ultimately provide the clearest answer of all. With any luck, Lopez will shrug it off and be fit to feature at The Riverside.

The problem with building a team around one man

Even so, the episode carries a broader lesson, and it is one that Taylor is keen to press. Lopez has been, by most measures, the standout performer in Wolves' early-season campaign. He scored in the Black Country derby before the break, he appears in virtually everyone's best XI, and no Wolves fan would willingly enter a match without him at this stage. His form has been as rapid and eye-catching as any in the second tier.

But as Taylor argues, Wolves will not earn promotion by hanging their hopes on a single player. The Championship is long, physically punishing, and has a habit of catching out squads that lack depth or balance. Injuries, suspension and fatigue are not possibilities; they are certainties, and a side that cannot function without its main creative outlet will sooner or later find that out the hard way.

An opportunity for others to step forward

Should Lopez be unavailable on Saturday, Taylor points to Jordan James as a potential beneficiary, someone who could fill the gap and keep himself sharp with regular action. That, in Taylor's view, is not simply a problem to be managed; it could actually be a positive outcome. The more players Wolves have operating at match intensity, the better positioned the squad becomes for the relentless run of fixtures that stretches ahead.

It is a point that cuts to the heart of squad management in this division. Wolves were widely considered to have one of the stronger squads in the Championship before the international break, and Taylor's argument is that this is precisely the moment to prove it. Deeper into the season, when fixture congestion bites and knocks accumulate, those extra bodies will matter enormously.

Peixoto's balancing act

For Peixoto, the Lopez situation crystallises a challenge every Championship manager faces: how do you protect a key asset early in the campaign while also keeping the rest of your squad engaged and ready? Rest Lopez unnecessarily and you blunt your attacking threat; play him through any lingering discomfort and you risk a longer absence further down the line.

The sensible course, if there is genuine doubt, is caution. Wolves have enough in reserve to take something from a match at Middlesbrough even without their most in-form player, and preserving Lopez for the longer haul would be well worth a cautious team selection.

What this week has underlined is that Wolves' promotion credentials will ultimately be judged across a full season, not on the performances of one individual, however impressive. Lopez's form is an asset; dependency on it would be a liability. Taylor's message is straightforward: the depth is there, and now is the time to use it.

Frequently asked

Is Fer Lopez fit to play for Wolves at Middlesbrough?
He returned early from Spain Under-21 duty with reported physical discomfort during the international break. The club described it as minor, but his availability is uncertain ahead of Saturday's match at Middlesbrough. Manager Cesar Peixoto is expected to give an update at his Friday press conference.
Who could replace Fer Lopez in the Wolves midfield?
According to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor, Jordan James is the most likely candidate to step in if Lopez is unavailable, and playing time for players such as James could help keep the wider squad sharp across a long Championship season.
How are Wolves doing in the Championship this season?
Wolves have made a positive start to the season and were considered one of the stronger squads in the division before the international break, with Fer Lopez their standout performer so far, including a goal in the Black Country derby.