Gary O’Neil drops Wolves team news hint before Bournemouth clash

Gary O’Neil has hinted Rayan Ait-Nouri will start for Wolverhampton Wanderers against AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday evening. The Algerian played just 22 minutes - including stoppage time - against Arsenal on Saturday but is expected to have far more involvement midweek.

It’s a huge game for the Old Gold as O’Neil, effectively forced out of Bournemouth to allow the arrival of Andoni Iraola, welcomes his former side to Molineux. Some may even go as far as saying it’s a grudge match, especially as Wolves are at threat of letting the Cherries leapfrog them in the league standings.

Ait-Nouri, who announced his return from injury with an audacious attempt to dribble past several Arsenal players, has been instrumental to Wanderers’ success this season. The 22-year-old was out-of-sorts under Julen Lopetegui and Bruno Lage but there’s been a revival under O’Neil. His presence on Wednesday could be vital.

“I’m pleased that Rayan got some minutes. He even tried to take on the whole Arsenal team on his own! That announced his comeback to the world! It was good to have him back,” O’Neil said after Saturday’s defeat.

When asked by Birmingham World if his left wing-back can manage more game time, O’Neil said: “Yeah, you’ll see more, touch wood you’ll see more than 20 minutes of Ait-Nouri against Bournemouth.” Then, when prompted to assert if the defender will start the game, O’Neil admitted: “Yeah, probably, probably.”