John Ruddy: Make the extra rest count for Wolves

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are edging closer to promotion to the Premier League after three successive victories.

Wolves could be promoted at Cardiff on Friday if they beat the Tigers and the Bluebirds and results go against promotion rivals Fulham and Villa.

Ever-present Ruddy hailed Friday’s dramatic 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough as ‘massive’ but knows the team will need to refocus tonight despite Hull’s lowly league position.

“It’s getting close but it’s still one game at a time,” the keeper said.

“We knew Middlesbrough was massive, so to get the three points was a huge help for us in terms of where we want to be.

“We have to go again – that’s what this league’s all about.

“We have an extra day to recover than Hull so we have to make that count.”

Ruben Neves and Matt Doherty are both suspended for tonight’s game after being sent off at the Riverside.

With Diogo Jota out and Romain Saiss and Helder Costa visibly struggling at the end of the Boro clash, Nuno could ring the changes tonight in front of what will be a packed Molineux.

Ruddy says recovering from the drama of Friday will be crucial for their hopes tonight.

“We’ve got the squad to cope and we’ve shown that before,” he said.

“Ruben’s missed games before, Alf (N’Diaye) and Saiss have played together, it’s a case of filling in in certain positions and most of the lads know the roles. It should be fairly settled.

“It’s a case now of we’ve done our recovery as best we can at Middlesbrough in terms of ice baths and what have you, so we make sure we get the right stuff on board.

“It’s more a case of mentally switching off and making sure we’re ready to go, ready to work and ready for Hull.

“We’re used to playing Saturday-Tuesday so we have an extra day and we have a big week coming up.”