Matt Doherty suffers injury setback ahead of Europa League qualifiers

Republic of Ireland and Wolves defender Matt Doherty is in doubt for his club's Europa League second qualifiers after reportedly suffering with a ligament problem.

Wolves are currently travelling through China as they prepare to face Newcastle United in the Premier League Asia Trophy which also includes West Ham United and Manchester City. Wolves will play Newcastle on Wednesday and will then face the winners of the first round qualifying tie between B36 Torshavn and the Crusaders a week later on July 25th. The club confirmed that Doherty had suffered an injury and did not make the trip to China.

'Matt Doherty is a notable absentee after picking up an injury during pre-season, while Romain Saiss and Raul Jimenez will not travel due to recent international commitments'.

Doherty enjoyed a breakout season with Wolves last term where he chipped in with four goals and five assists from the right-wing back position and he said towards the end of the season that his confidence was sky high. He noted that his fitness was not at it's best heading into last season but that he played his way into shape which is encouraging given his uncertainty heading into the new campaign.

"I didn’t start the season too well, but I’ve got myself a lot fitter, which helps also, I'm fitter than last season, even though I was fit last season," he noted before the Gibraltar and Georgia games with Ireland. "I just think I’ve been able to adapt, and confidence is everything. I’m super confident at the moment, every time I go out and play I feel great when I’m playing. "Obviously, at times that changes during the season. But right now, I’ve never played better than I am right now. My confidence is sky high, and confidence is a lot to do with it and that’s never really left me."