Chelsea v Wolves - Match preview

But O’Neil, who also allowed Joe Hodge, Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajdzic to leave on loan, is confident in the players who have already exceeded expectations this season.

Wolves came within a whisker of snatching an excellent point against Manchester United on Thursday night, battling back from 3-1 down with five minutes remaining only to lose to Kobbie Mainoo’s winner deep in stoppage time.

O’Neil said: “I don’t think there are too many teams who could have suffered a sucker punch like the one which made it 3-1 against United and still show the resilience to get back up and fight the way we did.

“I am sure if there were another five minutes left we would have found a way to fight back and make it 4-4. It is my job to make sure we keep it there.”

Asked about whether the quiet window might actually help strengthen the mentality of those players already on board, O’Neil replied: “Transfer windows, when you are in the playing squad already, can be funny.

“Sometimes you would like to see a few arrive because you know you will get some help and some support.

“Other times for selfish reasons and thinking ‘we have got this, we are in this together’ – you prefer it to stay as it was.

“I don’t know how individuals feel about it. I am really clear about how I feel about them, how I feel about the group and what we are.

“I am sure no matter what happens between now and the end of the season you will get us giving everything in every single moment.”

O’Neil admitted the main focus would be on recovery with Wolves back in action at Chelsea tomorrow, less than 72 hours after the gut-wrenching United defeat.

The 10th-placed hosts, one spot and two points above O’Neil’s men, will also be aiming to bounce back after Wednesday’s sobering 4-1 defeat at Liverpool.

Despite another underwhelming season considering the colossal amount of money spent, Mauricio Pochettino’s team are strong at Stamford Bridge, where they are unbeaten in their last 10 matches.

“It will be an incredibly tough challenge, as it always is,” said O’Neil. “Playing Manchester United, like we just have, or playing Chelsea, they are two of the biggest clubs with an incredible ability to sign talent and produce their own talent.

“They have a massive squad, full of quality. It will be an incredibly tough test with such a tight turnaround and such a small squad.

“The amount of effort which went into the Manchester United game and the work the boys put in will take some recovering from. We will embrace the challenge, the same as we have every other one.”