Wolves' Romain Saiss hoping a good World Cup will make a great season 'perfect'

Saiss is heading for Russia after being called up to play for his country, who face Portugal, Spain and Iran in their group.

He enjoyed a stand-out season at Wolves, making 37 appearances and scoring four goals – helping them on their way to win promotion and the Championship title.

The 28-year-old admitted this season has been ‘very long and emotional’, but hasn’t had time to relax because he is gearing up for his first World Cup.

Saiss said: “I have to stay fit for the World Cup and I hope we will have a good World Cup. If we do, it will be a perfect season for me. It was a very long season (at Wolves). There was a lot of emotion because we play so many games. It was so hard but now I don’t have time to rest.”

Saiss is the 15th player in Wolves’ history to be called up for a World Cup.

Morocco play Iran in their first Group B game on June 15.

They then face tough clashes with Portugal and Spain in their other games.

There was a chance Saiss could have faced off against his Wolves team-mate Ruben Neves on the pitch after he was included in Portugal’s preliminary 32-man squad.

However, the 21-year-old didn’t make the cut for the final 23-man squad.

Saiss is expecting tough games when the tournament gets under way in Russia – but is relishing the chance to compete in what will Morocco’s first World Cup in 20 years.

He is calling on his team-mates to show ‘fighting spirit’ and ‘not be afraid of facing Portugal or Spain’.

He added: “It’s a good opportunity to play against the best teams in the world. It’s just football, we are lucky to enjoy it and this could be the only World Cup in my career.

“The most important thing is not to be afraid, stay humble because we should play like we did before.”