Wolverhampton Wanderers boss tells Bakary Sako to pick France

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Stale Solbakken has encouraged winger Bakary Sako to pledge his international future to the French national team.

The 24-year-old was born in France to Malian parents and as a result can represent either country under FIFA guidelines.

Mali are keen to recruit the attacker in time for next year's Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

However, Solbakken believes that his player would benefit more from becoming part of the French squad.

"I don't know what he's chosen. Hopefully he should aim for the French national team," Solbakeen told the Express & Star. "Why not? Florent Malouda has played for France and he's in Chelsea's reserves at the moment so anything could happen.

"I don't think he could realistically play for France now, but if he continued to develop that could also happen. He should have that aim."

Sako has represented both Mali and France at youth level.