Wolves will bring their 2021/22 Premier League campaign to an end on Sunday against Liverpool – and it will be an interesting day for Ki-Jana Hoever.
The Dutchman has not featured for the first-team since he went off injured during the defeat to Crystal Palace back in March.
After that game, Lage slammed Hoever for a lack of preparation.
He blasted (via Goal): “Ki is a good example of the young kids, the young players, they want everything to happen.
“When you are out and your teammate is playing, you are not training at the intensity you need to train, you’re not preparing yourselves enough. And when you have a chance, these kind of things happen.
“I have too many kids in my team, sometimes they don’t work the way they should work. They don’t prepare the way they should prepare.”
But after making those comments, Lage did say that he would be willing to hand Hoever another chance (via Birmingham Mail).
But so far, that hasn’t happened for the £13.5 million youngster.
He returned from his injury in early April and has been available for selection since.
Hoever has made the bench in four of the past five games, but has not seen any minutes.
That’s despite Nelson Semedo picking up an injury against Brighton.
It could be quite telling if he isn’t picked to start the final game of the season.
Hoever will be itching to play final game for Wolves against Liverpool
It will be fascinating to see who Lage plumps for on that right side on Sunday against Liverpool.
It could be Jonny Castro Otto. Or it could be Chiquinho, as it was against Manchester City. Or it could be Hoever to come in and make his grand return.
The youngster will probably be absolutely desperate to play against his former club.
There is also an added narrative that Hoever was partly at fault for the Divock Origi goal in the reverse fixture.
If Lage does not give him any minutes at Anfield, then it will then be very intriguing to see what happens with him in the summer window.
It would be no surprise if he left on loan, or even made a permanent switch.