Wolves boss makes demands of star forward Matheus Cunha

Although illness kept him out of training on Friday, the head coach is hopeful Cunha will be ready to start at Chelsea on Monday and the 25-year-old is hoping to build on an excellent season that has seen him score 10 Premier League goals in 20 games.

The Brazilian returned from suspension in midweek but was only fit enough to play from the bench at Newcastle - and Pereira has given him areas to improve if he wants to realise his potential.

"Cunha gives us the creativity, he is an unpredictable player," Pereira said.

"He can pull a rabbit out of the hat, he can make magic in the moment on the pitch and create something special.

"This is my conversation with Cunha, we know he has the technical level, the skills, but to be a top top level player he must be committed in every moment in the game.

"If we lose the ball, he must give the first example to the others by running to get the ball again.

"Compact the team, recover positions - this is the behaviour and personality for the top level players.

"This is what I'm demanding from him."

Meanwhile, following the defeat to Newcastle and with one eye on the Chelsea game coming up, Pereira insisted Wolves must improve in both boxes to survive this season.

The Magpies scored two second half goals with simple passes into the box for unmarked forwards and the head coach is adamant his side must defend more intelligently.

"We learn every day of our life until the end," Pereira said.

"We can improve every time. We need to look at the last game and understand the way we concede the goals and the way we missed the goals.

"There is a clear picture for us and this is the basis to start our work, to prepare the next game.

"This is the moment we need to improve offensively and defensively. I know we can improve a lot, we have potential to improve a lot.

"But it needs step by step and it needs results.

"When we lose a game we must look at what we did well and what we must correct.

"Defending inside the box is something we need to improve. 

"It's not only about seeing the ball. We must control the ball and we must control the player inside the box.

"We need to increase our level to defend the box and not allow the crosses. 

"When we have possession, we cannot lose the ball in transition, because they come fast and we are not balanced. We cannot lose easy balls.

"We must have balance to not allow the counter-attacks, because in this league one mistake is one goal.

"When are attacking, it is the decision, the last run, last pass or shot.

"We need to improve together."