Wolves boss Nuno keen to recruit and improve in 2020

For Nuno, if Wolves wish to improve on 2019’s seventh-placed finish in the Premier League and a spot in the last 32 of the Europa League, then freshening up his squad is key.

He said: “I truly believe there is a lot of space to improve (in 2020).

“The way we do things, we have a small squad. The players involved are basically the same that we had last season.

“So if we can improve our performance and at the same time, now that the transfer window is opening, try to bring things that the team clearly needs, different characteristics, then there is a lot of space to improve.

“I truly believe in it.”

Out of favour centre-half Jesus Vallejo’s future remains up in the air.

Reports from Spain suggest Real Madrid are keen to recall him from his season-long loan deal due to his lack of game time.

But with Willy Boly making encouraging progress from his ankle injury and Max Kilman continuing to impress, defensive reinforcements will not be top of Nuno’s shopping list if Vallejo does returns to the continent.

Attack is understood to be the area that Nuno is keen to recruit in this window as Wolves look for a different option to compliment 17-goal forward Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota, Adama Traore, Pedro Neto and Patrick Cutrone.

It’s been reported that Wolves are targeting Red Bull Salzburg striker Hwang Hee-chan, but the Express & Star understands that interest has cooled.

Summer AC Milan signing Cutrone has been linked with a return to Italy, but he is expected to return to the bench for tomorrow’s trip to Watford after missing the Liverpool defeat due to illness.

But right now Nuno’s focus is on the task ahead – beating Watford.

The relegation battling Hornets have been galvanised by the arrival of new manager Nigel Pearson.

And Nuno says it is clear to all that there has been a reaction at Vicarage Lane.

He said: “Now we start thinking about Watford, looking at the games, analysing.

“It is evident that they are a good team, it will be very tough, very tough.

“Like you say, there was a reaction, things are improving. Every game in the Premier League, especially in this schedule is very tough.”

It will be Wolves’ third game in the space of six days after they beat champions Manchester City 3-2 on Friday and ended 2019 with a 1-0 defeat at league leaders Liverpool.

Wolves picked up their first Premier League win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Watford at Molineux in September.

And Nuno is expected to rotate again and he stressed the need to recover properly as they bid to do the double over the Hornets.

Nuno said: “This year we started the season against them with a very tough game.

“We have to rest, recover well and prepare ourselves to compete in the best way we can.”

Wolves are expected to recall 21-year-old striker Bright Enobakhare from his season long loan spell at Wigan due to a lack of game time.

The forward has featured just three times for ex-Wolves man Paul Cook’s Championship strugglers.

But his cameo off the bench in Wigan’s 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough in August looks to be his last at the Latics, with the forward set to return to Molineux and secure a fresh loan deal.