Mario Lemina: Midfielder available for Wolves after U-turn amid Saudi interest

Mario Lemina has made a U-turn at Wolves and is available for selection until his future is resolved.

The midfielder asked to be left out of the squad for the midweek 3-0 defeat at Newcastle, amid his desire to leave Molineux.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab want to sign the 31-year-old and have asked to take him for free, something Wolves are not entertaining.

But Lemina apologised to Wolves boss Vitor Pereira on Friday morning and could now be included in the squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Pereira said: “Last time I came to the press conference I thought he was in for the game, then he asked me to be out of the game because mentally he wasn’t in condition.

“Today he came to me, in the morning, he asked to apologise to me and apologise to the team. He said he is ready to do his best for the team until we have a solution and decision.

“This is the way he must behave. We are professional, the club pays the salaries which means I should come here with energy to help until the last day.”

Wolves – 17th in the Premier League – want £5m for Lemina, who joined from Southampton two years ago.

Pereira also wants to sign two players, one a midfielder, regardless of whether Lemina is at Molineux next month or not.

He lost the captaincy to Nelson Semedo last month after clashing with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen following the 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium, before Pereira replaced Gary O’Neil as head coach.

“We can commit mistakes in life, I did some mistakes in my life,” added Pereira. “We must give him the opportunity to show in the act, not with words.

“I believe he spoke with his heart and he will try, I am here to see if he can or not. If he can help OK, if he cannot I prefer to go with another one who is committed.

“Mario has quality, he can bring us physicality in the midfield, technical quality. It depends on his mind. I hope, until the end of the season or the end of the month he will be able to help us.”