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Wolves' Ruben Neves hoping for Bournemouth cracker before Christmas

Ruben Neves is anticipating an entertaining game against Bournemouth tomorrow – as he opened up about his new wolf tattoo.

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Neves celebrates his opening-day goal against Everton (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

Wolves host the Cherries looking for their third consecutive victory, after wins over Chelsea and Newcastle.

Neves doesn't believe Eddie Howe's team will come to Molineux to defend – and thinks that'll make for a cracking match.

"It will be an extremely difficult game, as all games are, but our objective is to win, as it always is," Neves said.

"We can’t be looking too far ahead though, we need to take it game by game.

"I don’t think that Bournemouth will come here and defend. I think Bournemouth will come here wanting to win, which is why I think it’ll be a great game because we are here to win too.

"They have a good team in general and a very strong and fast attacking line so we might have to adapt to that.

"They’re a strong counter attacking team and they do so with pace. The main thing will be to impede fast attacking runs.

"(Chelsea and Newcastle) were two important games for us after a series of games where we weren’t able to win.

"We had six games without a win, so these last two games allowed us to return to our form and the most important thing now is to maintain the highest level possible.

© AMA SPORTS PHOTO AGENCY

"We started the season well. As we know it’s a very competitive league and we shouldn’t be thinking too far ahead.

"We need to take it game by game. Bournemouth are an excellent team who has had a great season as well."

If Neves braves short sleeves at a cold Molineux tomorrow fans will spot his new wolf tattoo, which the 21-year-old had inked on this week.

It's been two years in the planning and adds to his Porto tattoo.

Neves' new wolf tattoo (pic courtesy of @RobScanlon_TV)

Neves said: "It wasn’t specifically because of (Wolves), but it obviously identifies with club as well.

"I planned it about two years ago. I was initially going to get it done in Portugal but after the journey here and everything, I didn’t have time.

"The wolf represents intelligence, organisation and confidence. That is what I need in life and my work, which is football.

"It was planned whilst I was playing for Porto. I got a Porto tattoo and I wanted the wolf as well.

"My aim is to get my whole left arm done. I don’t know when I’ll get the time but regardless, it wasn’t the last tattoo."

Neves also spoke of the influence his father, himself a former footballer, continues to have on his career.

"Yes my father always played football in the lower leagues in football," he added. "He always played football and I always watched. All my cousins played and so I don’t think I had much choice.

"All my family plays football and I followed along.

"My father was a great player. He played in my position, the exact same position as me. He has helped me a lot, still today.

"He gives me his opinion on my game which is great because he’s the person who I trust the most to give me criticism and to help my football."