Wolves vs Hull: Toothless Tigers look easy meat

Too good to be true? Wolves supporters are still in ‘pinch me’ territory as their side edges ever closer to the Premier League.

The more pessimistic among them will still be fearing a collapse to end all collapses.

But with a 13-point gap to third-placed Fulham (who host Leeds United tonight) and just seven games to go, surely even Wolves can’t mess this up from here.

It could all be done and dusted as early as Friday, if they win tonight and against Cardiff and results elsewhere go their way.

Either way Nuno Espirito Santo will be confident of recording a third home win on the trot tonight against the struggling Tigers.

Keeper John Ruddy knows focus and concentration will be key – just as they were when Wolves dramatically beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on Friday with just nine men.

“It was a real test of character and the lads came through it with all the credit they deserve. I thought they were absolutely outstanding,” Ruddy said.

“As soon as we went down to 10 men we were excellent and then with nine men even more so, we kept our shape and kept it solid.

“When situations like that occur and the referee seems to be, shall we say, a little bit unfair to us... I think he was very card-happy towards us and probably not so much to Middlesbrough. Some of the boys went away last week and some of them – Romain (Saiss), Alf (N’Diaye), Barry (Douglas) – didn’t get back in until Thursday. It was a real grind for them and I think you saw that at the end, they were out on their feet.

“When your backs are to the wall you need everyone to stand up and be counted and I thought the boys were exceptional throwing their bodies on the line with last ditch tackles. I thought in the main we kept a solid shape about us. The manager adjusted us quickly and I thought even with nine men we were solid.

“You’re working on things consistently day in, day out and I think that shows in the games.

“No matter who had to step in – we had young Morgan (Gibbs-White) at right-wing-back and I thought he acquitted himself well – everyone knows their jobs in the shape we play.”

N’Diaye is likely to replace the suspended Ruben Neves in midfield, while Nuno’s likely options at right wing-back are either Ryan Bennett, who has played there earlier in the season (most notably at Manchester City in the Carabao Cup) or Morgan Gibbs-White, who briefly played on the right in the closing minutes at Middlesbrough.

Another option is Jordan Graham, but Phil Ofosu-Ayeh is unlikely to be risked after only played around 100 minutes since his return after eight months out with an ankle injury.

Diogo Jota (ankle) remains doubtful, as does Bright Enobakhare (quad).