match preview: CAN WOLVES FELL FOREST?

Forward Hwang Hee-chan is in the matchday squad for the first time since the end of February following injury, while Rayan Ait-Nouri is also set to be involved.

O’Neil said the game against Forest will be “incredibly tough” and added: “When I look at the depth they have and the money they’ve spent, it’s a real surprise that they are where they are.”

O’Neil was charged by the Football Association for his behaviour following the controversial defeat by West Ham on Saturday. He said it would “probably be best for him not to comment until the process is complete”.

Asked about the club’s frustrations with VAR, O’Neil said: “You can feel it nationally really. Across the whole league there’s been a lot of frustration or disappointment around some of the decisions and the way the season has gone with VAR and other bits and pieces.”

He continued: “That’s not to say it’s all bad. There have been some good calls and things that have definitely helped. But not only at Wolves, I would say there is a desire from everybody for the standard of it to improve and I’m sure that goes for the people in charge of it as well.”

O’Neil said he speaks regularly with PGMOL chief Howard Webb to discuss incidents in Wolves’ and other clubs’ games, and that Webb is “always open and honest” with his explanations. He added: “I don’t need them to agree with me – it’s not where we’re trying to get it to. It’s just being open and honest, and giving me a good understanding of why decisions are given. We’ve received apologies this year, which I always accept. I understand people make mistakes and it’s no problem as long as there’s an openness and an honesty to the process.”

Asked about points Wolves have potentially lost because of contentious decisions this season, O’Neil said: “I don’t blame anybody else or credit anybody else for our league position apart from us. I’m sure there will be many clubs that claim they could be higher without certain decisions.”