Gibbs-White | On his recall, Brighton strike and final three

Morgan Gibbs-White is determined to repay Nuno Espirito Santo’s faith in the final three games of the season, after the head coach recalled him into the group in January.

The midfielder was due to spend the entire 2020/21 season at Swansea City, but positive performances, coupled with a large volume of injuries, saw him return from his loan early. Since then, the 21-year-old has bided his time to impress, but when the opportunity arose against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, he took it, and is now keen to continue that momentum against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

On ending the goal wait

“It’s been a long time coming, I’ve worked all my career since I was a little kid dreaming of the day of playing in the Premier League, and to score was an unbelievable feeling.

“After I missed the [first] opportunity I was devastated, but I knew I couldn’t let it get to me, because if it did, it would have affected my performance. I had to focus, keep concentrating, keep things simple, and then when I had the opportunity, I relied on instinct, so when the ball dropped, I just saw the gap and went for it.

“It was a big sigh of relief – I was just happy it went in and got the boys the three points.”

On his season across two clubs

“When I went out to Swansea, I played the first few games, my confidence was high, everything was going as it planned. When I got the big injury, it kills you inside, kills your confidence, because you’re thinking can you get back to where you were at Wolves.

“When the manager got me back [to Wolves], it gave me a big confidence boost that he wanted me with the boys, to help the team and that’s what I came back to do. The more chances, the more games I get, the more I’ll try and help the team.”

On Nuno recalling him

“I wasn’t expecting it, I thought I was going to be there the whole season on loan. I especially wasn’t expecting it after coming back from the injury so soon, and only playing ten minutes for Swansea against Watford.

“When he gave me the call, it was a massive confidence boost, I was smiling from ear to ear, it was a last minute pack up and get back to Wolves.”

On the campaign for the club

“Losing good players has affected us a bit, but we’re still a tight group and can still play. With Covid and fans not being in the stadium, it killed us a bit, because they were really behind us when we played.

“There are no excuses, it’s just not one of our best season, but it proves we can have an off season, but stay in a good position in the Premier League.”

On Nuno giving youth a chance

“At this part of the season, he can give the young players more of a chance to play because we’re 12th in the league, safe from relegation, so it’s a time for the young players to play together, build a good relationship together, connect well, combine on the pitch and try to play as a team.

“We’re learning every day from the experienced players, so to get that excitement from the young players in the team is unbelievable, it makes training harder, more enjoyable and it’s look good for next season.”

On travelling to Tottenham

“We want to get the morale going for next season. Try to get as many points as we can on the table. We’re not going to give them an easy game. We’ve got to go there wanting to win and get the three points.”

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