Injured Wolves winger Rafiki Said faces months out

Injured Wolves winger Rafiki Said will miss the opening weeks of the campaign after a high‑grade medial collateral ligament tear suffered in pre‑season, the club confirmed on its website on 22 July. The 26‑year‑old, signed on a three‑year deal from Standard Liege, is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

Rafiki Said signed a three‑year contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers from Standard Liege for an undisclosed fee, as confirmed by the club’s announcement accompanied by a Getty Images photograph [Getty Images].

The former Standard Liege winger suffered a high‑grade injury to his medial collateral ligament during Wolves' friendly at Maidenhead United on 22 July.

"Unfortunately, Rafiki had an injury whilst taking a shot," Wolves director of performance Phil Hayward told the club website. "The shot was blocked, placing a big strain on the inside of his knee and, as a result, he sustained a high‑grade injury to his medial collateral ligament."

Hayward added that Said will wear a knee brace for the next six weeks or so and will receive injections to accelerate healing, meaning he will miss the first part of the season for sure.

The Comoros international was new boss Cesar Peixoto's first signing as Wolverhampton prepares for its return to the Championship this season.

Wolves also confirmed that French‑born Haiti midfielder Jean‑Ricner Bellegarde will be out for a number of weeks with a fairly high‑grade hamstring injury. Bellegarde, signed from Strasbourg for £12.8 million nearly three years ago, pulled up in training after returning from the World Cup.

These setbacks underline the challenges facing Wolverhampton Wanderers' summer recruitment, as the club seeks to rebuild its squad ahead of a demanding Championship campaign.