Nuno can’t wait to hear Wolves crowd howl

Wolves last played in front of supporters in December on the other side of Stanley Park against Liverpool, meaning tonight’s clash will be only the second time they have played before a crowd in more than a year.

Nuno has expressed how much his side have missed fans and although they will have to wait until Sunday to see their own supporters, he believes seeing 6,500 Evertonians tonight will be a big moment.

Nuno said: “It’s good for the game. It’s good for the competition. It’s good for society. It’s good for everybody. You can see the FA Cup final for example, the atmosphere is different.

“It will be different. For the players it’s the most important thing that they have fans.

“And that the game regains this edge and atmosphere that makes football the best show in the world.

“Fans are part of that. Everton and at Molineux, finally they are back.

“It’s huge. Finally. We’re going to have Everton fans and then our own fans at Molineux, it’s a big moment for everybody.

“The returning of fans is the best thing that can happen to the game.

“It looks like it’s going to happen and hopefully next season is going to be better than ever.”

Ancelotti has done a steady job at Everton since he arrived in December 2019.

They currently sit eighth in the Premier League and Nuno admits he is a huge admirer of the Italian.

He added: “Carlo is fantastic. He’s amazing. One of the best managers and a fantastic person.

“Someone that when you have the privilege to be with him, it’s always very good.

“I have big admiration for Carlo.”

When asked if he has studied him and learned from him, Nuno added: “Of course. We see all of the success that Carlo has achieved during his career.

“For us younger managers – or not so young – he’s an inspiration.

“You look and you learn, you see. Of course.”

Everton’s home form has dipped in recent months and they have failed to win on their own turf in the Premier League in their last five games.

Nuno, however, takes no notice of the form table and insists it will be a tough encounter.

“It’s going to be a new game and we know it’s going to be a very tough one,” he said. “It’s very demanding and we’re going to face a very tough opponent.

“We have to prepare ourselves very well. It will be a tough test against a very good opponent with a talented squad.

“Going to Everton is always difficult and with fans, more difficult.

“Let’s prepare ourselves well and let’s compete much better. I’m looking forward to it.”

In terms of team selection, Daniel Podence has joined the list of injured players. The winger had groin surgery on Monday and is now focused on next season.

Nuno said: “It went well and now it’s about him recovering.

“We hope that he will be fit for the beginning of August. It’s more or less the schedule that we have.”

Fernando Marcal and Willy Boly, however, returned to the squad against Spurs on Sunday and Nuno insists they will play before the end of the campaign.

“Marcal is returning from a long moment he was out,” Nuno added. “We have to be careful with Marcal because of what happened before. We have to manage.

“Willy Boly is much better. So let’s see. Probably all the players will have minutes.”