The Athletic’s Steve Madeley has voiced his ‘big concern’ for Wolverhampton Wanderers over their striker situation.

The Lowdown: Lack of goals

Despite strong defensive performances this season, the Old Gold sit 17th in the Premier League table due to their ongoing issues in the final third.

Wolves have scored just three goals in the top-flight campaign so far, the joint-lowest in the division, with winger Daniel Podence leading the line for Bruno Lage amid a centre-forward crisis.

To the manager's dismay, Raul Jimenez has been out with injury, Diego Costa is not yet ready to play and Sasa Kalajdzic has undergone a knee operation, making him unavailable for at least six months.

The Latest: Madeley’s concern

Madeley has issued his concerns about Wolves’ recent form, with the team lacking any sort of reliable attacking threat in the final third.

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist claimed: “I do think the lack of cover at centre-back is a worry but, given that it's hopefully a short-term problem, it's less of a worry for me than the lack of goals and lack of chances. I look at the squad and I don't see an obvious solution to that huge problem. #WWFC”

He added: “Wolves clearly have to pin their hopes on Costa and Jimenez, who have both shown themselves to be fine players. But one hasn't played for 9 months and the other hasn't been at his best for an age, so clearly neither is a nailed-on solution to what is a big concern. #WWFC”

The Verdict: Could need another striker in January

Wolves may need to look to the transfer market again during the winter in search of a new centre-forward, despite Costa’s arrival at Molineux.

The former Spain international has been playing outside the major European leagues for more than 18 months now, having left Atletico Madrid as a free agent in January 2021.

He joined Atlético Mineiro in August of last year and left just five months later after the Brazilian club terminated his contract.

If Jimenez continues to struggle with injuries and a lack of form, Wolves’ fate could hinge on Costa. However, with the striker now 33 and experiencing disciplinary problems during his previous stint in England's top flight, Lage might not want to be left depending so heavily on the Spain international.

Taking all that into account, Madeley is quite right to worry about where the goals are going to come from in the Old Gold's current squad.