Bruno Lage reveals message to Wolves star Jose Sa after snub

Bruno Lage has challenged goalkeeper Jose Sa to maintain his high standards after his latest Portugal snub.

The in-form goalkeeper has kept 11 clean sheets in the Premier League this season and needs two more across the final nine games to equal Rui Patricio’s record at Wolves. But Sa’s brilliance between the sticks hasn’t been enough to earn him a place in Portugal’s squad for their crucial World Cup play-offs.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has instead selected Patricio, Diogo Costa and Anthony Lopes as his three goalkeepers. If Portugal - whose squad includes Wolves duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho - beat Turkey next week, they will face either North Macedonia or European champions Italy for a place in Qatar.

Despite his excellent form in the Premier League since his £6.8million transfer to Wolves from Olympiakos last summer, Sa is still awaiting his first cap for his country. The man Sa replaced at Molineux, Patricio, looks set to keep his place as number one for the foreseeable future.

Discussing Sa’s latest international omission, Wolves head coach Lage said: “I was talking with Jose and the main point is to continue to work the way you are working. You are putting your name in the best league of the world.

“Everyone is talking about you and about your work. The only thing you can control is your work and your target is to play number one.

“It’s the same thing I said to Ruben, ‘Your target is to play, but the only thing you can control is your work.’ He needs to respect the decision and continue to work in the best league in the world.”