Neves’ return should not mean Gibbs-White loses Wolves place against Newcastle

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Ruben Neves’ suspension gave English starlet Morgan Gibbs-White his first Premier League start when Wolves hosted Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The young midfielder did not disappoint, putting in a dominant performance that allowed Nuno Santo’s side to haul themselves back from behind to beat Maurizio Sarri’s side 2-1.

Neves will expect to return to the side when the Old Gold travel to Newcastle this afternoon looking to build on the confidence they can take from yet another good result against a high-profile opponent this season.

But that should not be at the expense of Gibbs-White; his direct running offered Wolves something different in that Chelsea win and galvanised a side that had been looking a little flat and predictable in recent weeks.

Santo could fit Gibbs-White into his usual 3-4-2-1 system, with either Neves remaining out or Joao Moutinho stepping aside.

But the Englishman was so good that Santo could consider a system change – Wolves have looked in need of a shake-up of late.

Either way, he shouldn’t drop out because his energy caused Chelsea problems that the double pivot of Neves – who has been off the boil of late as well – and Moutinho just couldn’t provide.