Wolves boss Bruno Lage is delighted with what he's seen from his squad in preseason.

Lage has been able to cast an eye over his squad and has placed great emphasis on competitiveness amongst the players, with two genuine options in each position his aim.

He told the club's website: “Very good. Very good. The environment, the friendships between them. People always talk about the big spirit of the team and now I can see that. But the first message I said to them, because I believe that in football, it's about that – we cannot live from the past.

“I was here when they started this cycle of four years, because I was at Sheffield Wednesday, and I could see what the previous staff and all the players did for the club. From the Championship, they won the league, they got to the UEFA Cup [Europa League], it was brilliant, fantastic, I was watching.

“But now, we need to understand that no-one lives in the past, and no-one lives for the future. I was a good player, or I will be a good football player – it's not important. What is important is day by day. Now is important to feel, to see, and continue with the bigger picture to bring success for our club."

On the market, Lage also stated: “The most important thing is to be competitive. I speak with our chairman one or two times a week, I speak with our sporting director every day, and they know I believe players should be competitive. That's why I believe we need to create a competitive squad. I want the best, I want two good players in each position.

“Sometimes I'm joking with the players, 'You need to go to sleep dreaming about your partner, be ready to compete for your place.' If you create that squad, if you create that dynamic, me as a manager, I'll be more happy because I'll have solutions in here.

“For the players, it's good for them because when they are competing, they can improve better, and also for the fans, because if we have a strong and competitive team, for sure we can win more games and they will be more happy."