Wolves captain Conor Coady is expected to be among the substitutes for the season opener against Leeds United, with his Molineux future in doubt.
Coady has been a key figure in Wolves' progress in recent years, but he may not feature at Elland Road. Lage is set to line up in a new-look four-at-the-back formation in Yorkshire, which could see Coady, who is more comfortable in a back three, move to the bench.
With the World Cup starting in November, it is understood Coady is keen for a move away from Molineux for regular game time in order to secure his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad. It is also understood that Wolves wouldn't stand in his way if a move elsewhere does open up.
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“I really don’t know,” Wolves boss Bruno Lage told a pre-match press-conference when asked about the prospect of Coady leaving.
“What I know is I will respect him as always. I need to understand what is best for him. It’s not just about the World Cup, the players always want to play. Coady, and all the players since the first day, are focused and trying to improve to play in the line of four."
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