"I must push him to be better" - Wolves boss issues challenge to star midfielder

The Brazilian was a surprise omission in the defeat against Bournemouth, as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was preferred to partner Joao Gomes in the middle of the park.

Bellegarde then went on to give the ball away, which led to Bournemouth's winning goal.

The head coach has revealed the decision was down to Andre's performance on the opening day against Manchester City and his subsequent displays in training - as he challenged the midfielder to improve and earn his place back.

"The positions in football are not a gift," Pereira said.

"They are not something that I give to Andre.

"I like Andre a lot, he can give us a lot, but I must push him to be better and to increase his level.

"He's trying to come, but in my opinion, in the last two weeks in training and in the games, Bellegarde was in a better condition.

"To be fair, I spoke to Andre and told him I know what he can do for us, but now it's time to push yourself to be better and be at your level.

"I started with Bellegarde in this game, this was my decision, looking at training and the previous games."

When asked if he was pleased with Andre's response, Pereira added: "Of course, I know Andre, he has character and is a player that wants to prove himself.

"Things in our life we must deserve. I must deserve to be here, he must deserve to play in the first XI to start the games.

"But we need to work hard. 

"I want that my players understand the concept, it's to be fair, to lead them, looking at everyone and they must know that they need to deserve their position."

Wolves are currently short of options and have limited time left in the transfer window to bring in another defender, midfielder and forward - which is currently the club's plan.

And Pereira insists they need help to improve his squad.

He added: "What I know about it is that the club is trying to bring two or three more players.

"I think we need three players - this is my opinion and the club is working on that.

"This is the information that I have."

Jorgen Strand Larsen was isolated up front throughout the defeat to the Cherries and then cut a frustrated figure on the bench when he was replaced late on.

But Pereira revealed the striker's frustration came from a niggling injury that he has been nursing for the past week and that has been causing him some discomfort - but is not serious.

"He was frustrated about the injury because he felt pain in his achilles," Pereira said.

"It was in the last week from the last game, he got a kick and now in the game the pain started to come back and increase.

"It's not serious, it was a kick in the tendon with inflammation.

"If you start to run, it's normal that the pain increases."