Wolves team news vs Brighton: Ruben Neves starts as Bruno Lage drops Raul Jimenez

Ruben Neves has returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers' starting line-up to face Brighton in their crunch Premier League clash this afternoon.

Wolves need three points to keep pace with European rivals Manchester United and West Ham, and they can draw level on points with the latter if they secure victory. Lage’s team have lost six of their last nine games, including back-to-back defeats to Newcastle and Burnley, to frustrate supporters.

Wolves are boosted by the return of talisman Ruben Neves, who regains his place in the team ahead of schedule after recovering from a knee injury. Neves joins Leander Dendoncker and Joao Moutinho in midfield, with Raul Jimenez dropping to the bench following the defeat to Burnley as Wolves switch to 3-5-2.

The second and final change sees Rayan Ait-Nouri replace Jonny Castro Otto at left wing-back. Jimenez's omission means Fabio Silva and Hwang Hee-chan are paired together in attack.

Pedro Neto is again named among the substitutes as he builds up his fitness levels following a long period out injured. Max Kilman (ankle) and Daniel Podence (foot) are the only two absentees.

Sa; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Semedo, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Ait-Nouri; Silva, Hwang

Ruddy, Marcal, Toti, Jonny, Cundle, Trincao, Neto, Jimenez, Chiquinho