Wolves boss reveals £45,000-a-week star REFUSED to play against Newcastle and insists ‘I don’t need him’
VITOR PEREIRA slammed former club captain Mario Lemina after the wantaway star refused to play against Newcastle.
Wolves slipped into the relegation zone after Alexander Isak’s double helped condemn them to a 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park.
The visitors' task against the in-form Mags was made all the more difficult when their 31-year-old midfielder pulled out.
Lemina, who is reportedly on a £45,000-a-week contract, missed the FA Cup win over Bristol City but Pereira had claimed he was available for the trip to the North East until the Gabon ace came to see him.
The Wolves boss fumed: “I can't bring a player who tells me he is not in the mental condition to help the team. He wants to leave.
“I don't know what happened before me, but with this energy and this mentality, I don't need him.
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"I prefer to play with another player.
“I don't have anything against Lemina or any issues with him.
“He said to me that he wants to leave and he communicated this decision one month ago to the club.”
Ex-Fulham, Southampton and Juventus player Lemina began the campaign as Wolves captain but former manager Gary O’Neil took the armband off him following his post-match meltdown at West Ham a month ago.
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Lemina has only played just 31 minutes since Pereira was appointed as O'Neil's successor on December 19.
He has since been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and now appears to be doing everything possible to try and force a move to the Middle East.
Wolves are believed to be demanding at least £6million for him.