Express & Star

Wolves' Ruben Neves misses out on Portugal World Cup spot

Wolves midfield ace Ruben Neves has agonisingly missed out on a place in Portugal’s squad for the World Cup.

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Ruben Neves

The 21-year-old club player of the year had hoped to be rewarded for a fine season at Molineux with a place in Fernando Santos’ squad.

He had forced his way into the reckoning during recent months, earning call-ups to the last two squads and taking his tally to five caps.

But instead Santos has plumped for Leicester City’s 23-year-old midfielder Adrien Silva.

Portugal, one of the pre-tournament favourites, take on Spain, Iran and Morocco in Group B.

Fellow Wolves midfielder Romain Saiss has though, as expected, been named in the Morocco squad.

And loan player Alfred N’Diaye will also be travelling to Russia having been selected by Senegal.

As N'Diaye is technically a Villarreal player, Saiss becomes the 15th Wolves player to be selected for a World Cup, following in the footsteps of the likes of Billy Wright, Ron Flowers and Steve Bull.

Wolves players selected for World Cups

England - Bert Williams, Billy Wright, Jimmy Mullen, Dennis Wilshaw, Bill Slater, Eddie Clamp, Peter Broadbent, Ron Flowers, Steve Bull

Ireland - David Kelly

South Korea - Seol Ki-Hyeon

Serbia - Nenad Milijas

USA - Marcus Hahnemann

Algeria - Adlene Guedioura