Mario Lemina has told Wolves boss Vitor Pereira that he wishes to leave the club this month.

Pereira had declared his midfielder fit and available for tonight's game at Newcastle, which they lost 3-0, but Lemina was not included in the squad.

Speaking after the defeat at St James' Park, Pereira revealed that Lemina had told him he wishes to depart Molineux and that a move could happen this month.

Pereira said: "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. 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."

Lemina was stripped of the captaincy by former manager Gary O'Neil in December and has played just 31 minutes of Premier League football since Pereira was appointed little less than a month ago.

He has been strongly linked with a transfer to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Shabab reportedly keen on a move.

Wolves are 18th and in the relegation zone on goal difference after Tuesday's loss.