Patrício, Adrien, William Carvalho and João Mário in training

Sporting's quartet of Euro 2016, Rui Patrício, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho and João Mário, were out on the training pitch this Wednesday, after a well-earned break.

Patrício, Adrien and William were in Alvalade for the presentation match against Lyon at the weekend, however only Patrício saw action.

The four give Jorge Jesus extra options ahead of Saturday's Five Violins Trophy hosting of Wolfsburg in Alvalade, with Sporting looking to win the trophy for the 5th time.

Rui Patrício, João Mário, Adrien Silva and Slimani all named from the Portuguese League

Sporting dominates the UEFA Portuguese League 2015/16 team named this week, on the institution's official website.

A total of four Sporting players feature from Jorge Jesus' squad: Rui Patrício, João Mário, Adrien and Slimani.

2015/16 XI in full: Rui Patrício (Sporting); Maxi Pereira (FC Porto), Miguel Layún (FC Porto) and Jardel (Benfica); Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), Adrien Silva (Sporting), João Mário (Sporting), Rafa Silva (SC Braga) and Nico Gaitán (Benfica); Jonas (Benfica) and Islam Slimani (Sporting).

João Mário on his domestic season and the coming international campaign

Currently away with Fernado Santos' Portuguese squad in preparation for Euro 2016, João Mário sat down the press this Wednesday to reflect on the domestic season and his country's chances come this June.

"It was my best season, but of course I still have to improve. We do what we can to prove ourselves with our clubs and it is down to the national coach to pick the squad after that. We have three friendlies before the Euro stars and I want to do well in those matches", opened João Mário, reflecting on the duty handed to him by Jorge Jesus throughout the season: "This season was the first time I had ever played in 4x4x2. I played in various positions and of course that made it a bit tricker, but how the team is playing is more important than how you are on paper. What matters is how the players gel together and how they take on board the coach's ideas."

The Alvalade midfielder could get his chance as part of a midfield trio with fellow Sporting stars Drien and William Carvalho. "We are used to playing together and if the coach thinks it could be a good idea them we can in the national team, but there are some really good players in the squad", added João Mário, finishing with a word on the possibility of featuring in Portugal's Olympic Team in Rio de Janeiro: "Of course I have always thought about going to the Olympics, but it is up to Sporting and not be to decide."

Alvalade midfielder scoops Players' Syndicate award

João Mário was named as the Professional Football Players' Syndicate Young Player of the Month for April this week, tallying 18.36% of votes cast to finish ahead of Diogo Jota (Paços de Ferreira) with 12.98% and Renato Sanches (Benfica) with 10.79%.

The results are based on the vote of members of the Players' Syndicate, as well as journalists from A Bola, O Jogo and Record newspapers.

It was actually João Mário's second award in two days, after winning the Player of the Month award attributed by Liga NOS coaches and fans through Samsung's official website.

Sporting CP with two names in Sports Journalist Association list

João Mário and Adrien are included in a list of five players shortlisted for the Sports Journalist Association's 2016 Player of the Year Award. Also in the running are André André, Jonas and Rafa.

Sporting CP also had two players in the list for Revelation of the Year, namely Gelson Martins and the on-loan Iuri Medeiros. In the list for Ledman LigaPro player of the year, Sporting B's Francisco Geraldes is in the running along side André Silva, Ewerton, Pedrinho and Platiny.

Voting will take place on the 29th of April, with winners announced on the 2nd of May.

João Mário rallies support for the weekend's hosting of Marítimo

The Liga NOS Young Player of the Month, João Mário is expecting Alvalade to one again be at full capacity this weekend, as his side host Marítimo on Liga NOS matchday 29.

“The team is in great form right now. We are coming in on the back of some good results and we want a lot of fans with us to beat Marítimo", said the Portuguese midfielder, adding: "We are felling really well supported and that makes a huge difference. Saturday will be the same again, with the stadium packed out."

João Mário receives award for February

João Mário collected his prize for the Professional Football Syndicate's Youth Player of the Month for February this week, after having already scooped the award in January.

Receiving the award at the Sporting Academy, João Mário was keen to give credit to the entire squad: "I am really happy for having won this award again. It is recognition of the work I have been putting in, but also of what the team has been doing. Things are going well for us and I am really happy. You can't win individual awards without the team. I try to do my best and this is recognition of that."

The Sporting midfielder received a total of 16.94% of votes cast, ahead of Guimarães' Miguel Silva (13.72%).

British magazine on one of Sporting's rising stars

The well-known British football website FourFourTwo has added to João Mário's already soaring fame. Portugal's last two international friendlies further affirmed the Alvalade midfielder's development this season, with a magnificent performance against Belgium seeing him pick out Cristiano Ronaldo for a decisive goal.

Alvalade midfielder scoops yet another award

João Mário has been named as the Professional Football Player's Syndicate for the month of February, after having already won the award in January.

The Sporting midfielder, who is currently away on international duty, won a total of 16.94% of the vote, beating the Guimarães keeper Miguel Silva (13.72%) and Iuri Medeiros (11.62%), who is currently out on loan..

The voting is tallied from the choice of the Player's Syndicate (40%) and sports journalists and is for players under the age of 23.

Fernando Santos names squad for Belgium and Bulgaria friendlies

Sporting CP dominate Fernando Santos' squad for two friendlies against Belgium and Bulgaria, in a squad list issued this week.

Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva and João Mário will all feature against Bulgaria on the 25th of March in Leiria, before the Portuguese take on Belgium on the 29th of March in Brussels.

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dynamo Zagreb) and Rui Patrício (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Cédric and José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco) and Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva, João Mário and William Carvalho (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valência), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto) and Renato Sanches (Benfica)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit), Éder (Lille), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Rafa (SC Braga) and Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)