Wolves captain Mario Lemina believes his appointment as captain will help him clear his name after previously being accused of attitude problems during his career.

The midfielder was given the captain’s armband by head coach Gary O’Neil last month after Max Kilman joined West Ham for £40 million.

During his time in Southampton, he was dogged by allegations of behavioural problems and was banned from driving in 2018.

But Lemina, who lost his father Mario Snr in December, wants to use the captain’s armband to show the person behind the player.

“He would be really happy and proud of me. He knows me better than anyone else, he knows I’ve never been a bad person. He knows I’ve worked really hard to clear my name,” said the 30-year-old, who joined from Nice in 2023.

“I won’t say I did everything right because I was young and very emotional, but I was never a bad person or had a bad attitude.

“If I were to talk about my career, a lot of people would think I had a bad attitude. It was never like that, actually. I had a few problems with some people, but it wasn’t because I had a bad attitude.”

Lemina was granted special leave last December and was able to return to France before his father’s death.

Kilman held up his shirt after scoring against Everton and Lemina was greeted with loud cheers when he made his comeback as a substitute in the second half of the FA Cup win over Brentford.

This underlined his reputation at Wolves and Lemina now feels ready to return to his best.

“I work really hard, I’m really positive, I see myself second and I try to support everyone. The club and the coach like that,” said the Gabon international.

“I am mentally stronger and feel more comfortable and confident as a player. And the players understand what I am talking about because I have the experience I have gained throughout my career.”

Lemina has spoken to club psychologist Martin Littlewood and opened up about his weaknesses, believing his empathy will help him as captain.

“Emotionally, after (his father’s death) I was not the player I was before. He (O’Neil) wants me to get back to where I was before my father died. I feel ready. I feel mentally stronger,” he said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener at Arsenal.

“I deserve what is happening right now. I want to develop further, even though I am only 30, as a human being, as a manager and as a person.”

“I’ve always been like that. I always like to talk to the guys to understand what’s going on in their heads. It’s important to build a relationship with someone when you’re having problems because there’s a lot going on in your head.

“I want people to be happy, work hard and have the best memories of their lives. Time passes quickly in football, so one day you will no longer be on the pitch.”