Wolves boss Gary O'Neil: Joao Gomes hailed as a ‘super talent’

Gomes was used sparingly at the end of the last season as he adapted to his new surroundings, but has now been unleashed by Gary O’Neil, who has started him in every Premier League game so far this campaign.

“He’s a super talent,” O’Neil said of the midfielder. “There’s that language barrier as well that he works hard on.

“He’s been very impressive. At his age and with his lack of experience of Premier League football, it’s still something you have to work with him on and try to improve, but as a starting point with the qualities he has, he’s at a very, very good level.

“Bouba (Boubacar Traore) has been training exceptionally well and it’s exciting the way he can get around the pitch, and Tommy (Doyle) has come in and added something.

“That midfield four (including regular starter Mario Lemina) are in a good spot and we need to make sure we get the most out of all four of them.”

Alongside those four midfielders is academy graduate Joe Hodge. The 21-year-old is yet to feature in the Premier League this season, after his breakthrough campaign last year, and has become frustrated at his lack of minutes after revealing he will seek a move away in January if he is not given a chance to play.

O’Neil, meanwhile, is pleased to have options in the middle of the park and has urged Hodge – who has now returned from a hamstring injury – to force his way into the team.

“We need that competition, so it’s down to all of them for which order they’re in,” O’Neil said.

“Joao and Mario have had the shirt at the moment, so it’s for the other three to try and make their way in, and it’s down to Joao and Mario to keep hold of their shirt.

“Hodgey will be the same. He suffered a setback with his injury and he needs to work his way back up now, but he’s still the same as the others and fighting hard to get himself in the starting XI.”

Hodge played 90 minutes on Friday – his first for club or country since the end of August – as he captained the Ireland under-21s to a 2-1 win over Latvia in a Euro qualifier.