NUNO: MY NEVES IS THE BABY BOOMER

NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO reckons Ruben Neves epitomises the spirit at Wolves.

Portuguese midfielder Neves missed the birth of his third child as his family are all back in his homeland.

Because of the pandemic, he had to watch the birth on his phone on the coach home after Wolves lost at Crystal Palace last weekend. The Molineux star, just

23, has thrown himself into his football instead.

Neves (top) scored from the spot in the vital 2-1 victory against Arsenal on Tuesday night that gave Wolves a first Premier League win in nine.

Ahead of hosting Leicester tomorrow, Wolves boss Nuno (above) reflected on the maturity and commitment of Neves, signed from Porto in July 2017 for £15.8million.

Nuno said: “Ruben joined us four seasons ago. He came from a big club and he joined Wolves in the Championship. From that day he has totally embraced the challenge and he will keep on doing that every day of his life. I’m not talking just about missing the birth of his child, he has shown his commitment every day.

“He shows everybody that he is truly committed.

“This is the spirit of the team and of Ruben.”

Nuno, whose side host Southampton in the FA Cup on Thursday before travelling to St Mary’s for a Premier League clash with the Saints next Sunday, sympathised with his midfield star for missing the birth of the new infant. “I am very proud of the way he handled the situation. He understands that at the moment he is not able to travel,” he said. “That decision was made for all of us – the corridor is closed.

“That decision was easy to take. But the commitment he put into the situation, not ever doubting what was his priority, this is what makes me more proud.

“Now in this moment the team needs the best of each one of us every day. Protecting the team is truly everything. We must put our own problems aside and do our best for the game.”