CUNHA FIT... AND GIVING ME EARACHE

GARY O’NEIL says Matheus Cunha has turned into a phone pest – such is his desperation to return for Wolves.

The striker (above), who has been sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury, has been working overtime – not just to prove his fitness but giving O’Neil welcome earache.

“I think we’ll see Matheus,” said the Wolves boss ahead of tonight’s trip to Burnley.

“He was knocking my door down to be involved in the Villa game but we had to make sure it was right for him.

“Obviously, we’ve had a setback or two from injuries this season. The medical information is that he shouldn’t quite be ready yet.

“But Matheus looks ready and is telling me that he’s ready – he rang me about four times between 9.30-10pm, telling me how ready he is.

“He will definitely be in the matchday squad, he’s miles ahead of schedule.

“When the scan results came through it was expected he would be out for between 10-12 weeks.

“He’s just over six and he’s doing absolutely everything.”

O’Neil has fallen foul of medical issues with his players this season. Pedro Neto returned from a long lay-off only to break down.

The Wolves boss said: “They are different situations. The medical reports on Pedro were that he was fine. Whereas medical reports on Matheus were that he shouldn’t be fine yet.

“But he is doing everything that makes you ready to play in a Premier League game.”

O’Neil (above) is expecting a tough test at Turf Moor and added: “They got a great result at Chelsea with 10 men. They are a good Premier League team, who spent a lot of money in the summer.

“Vincent is an excellent coach. I am surprised where they are with the coach they have and the money they’ve spent. I didn’t expect them to be in a relegation battle.”