Wolves boss proud of star defender

Although O’Neil was left wanting more after Ait-Nouri’s two big misses against Villa and Burnley, he was full of praise for the 22-year-old.

“He’s doing unbelievably well with the changes in the different areas that we’re asking him to pop up in,” O’Neil said. “Then occasionally, not very often, but occasionally, he looks like a left-back. Unfortunately, those two times have been when he’s six yards out with just the goalie to beat.

“But it was an unbelievable performance from him again.

“He looked tired on Saturday at Aston Villa and taking him off definitely helped him because he looked a lot fresher, which was massive for us. If we’d have had to carry a tired Rayan it would be been really tough for us.

“Him being fresh was a big bonus and he’s having an incredible season. I’m proud of him and proud of the work he’s done. I just wish he’d have scored five in the last four because there were two massive chances. Not very often do you get a look at the opposition goalie with more than one touch, six yards from the goal.

“We’ve managed to get Rayan in that situation twice in three or four days. They normally end in goals but unfortunately for us, the last couple haven’t. There’s still some really promising moments from a team that’s willing to fight and work.”

It has been a remarkable turnaround for Ait-Nouri, who was frozen out by Julen Lopetegui and looked set for a departure in the summer. But O’Neil says the Algerian international has improved his off-field approach and that is paying dividends on-field.

“I think he’s matured an awful lot,” O’Neil added. “I obviously didn’t know him last year, but I’m led to believe he’s made huge improvements in his maturity and his demeanour and how he is around the place and how he trains every day.

“It shows on the pitch and he’s been one of our best performers throughout the season.

“He is huge to us, especially at this moment when he does have some attacking prowess and we are obviously massively short of it.

“I’m really impressed with Rayan. He’s made big improvements and he’s a big part of what we’re trying to achieve here.”