Diego Costa is being made to sweat over his Wolves' future.
The former Chelsea and Spain international is being asked to play a waiting game over a contract for next season. The striker again played a leading part as Julen Lopetegui’s side all but secured their Premier League status with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Costa, 34, has bounced back following 18 months out of the game, losing weight and winning plenty of friends at Molineux as he continues to turn back the clock in a reminder of his glory days at Stamford Bridge and in Madrid with Atletico. He netted his first goal in the victory over Brentford 12 days ago with Match of the Day pundits singling him out for praise.
Lopetegui did likewise but stopped short of saying that he had done enough to earn another deal.
He said: “Diego has had a big impact - I highlight his work rate and mentality repeatedly - I’ve said this a lot of times.
“He was out of the team - and sometimes the squad - but he’s a very competitive player.
“He’s not come here thinking about his holidays - he wants to compete, to play. He pushes in every training session. That’s why he’s playing and helping us. His experience and energy have been very important to us.”
Despite his on-pitch reputation as a wind-up merchant, Costa has shown a lighter side off it. He is regularly name-checked by his colleagues as being the joker in the pack.
Lopetegui added: “We have good characters in the dressing room. When Diego is about, the players are alive. We’re very happy with him, but now is not the time to talk about the future of any player.
“We have to achieve our aims. When we do that, we will talk.”
Costa isn't the only Wolves centre-forward whose future is uncertain, with Raul Jimenez looking increasingly likely to depart this summer.
The Mexican, 31, again didn't make the matchday squad for the win over Palace and hasn't played since March 18.
