Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt a significant blow with veteran striker Raul Jimenez ruled out until January following knee surgery. The 35-year-old Mexican international will have the operation in London on Friday after a medial collateral ligament injury suffered a month ago did not recover as hoped.
Phil Hayward, the club's director of performance, explained the situation. "Unfortunately Raul's injury has not responded as we expected," he said. "Normally the ligament for a fairly low-grade injury would heal on its own, however this has not responded as we were expecting." Jimenez is now set for around three months of rehabilitation, which will see him miss Mexico's Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica in November.
Injury list mounts
The loss of Jimenez, who had scored three goals in six league appearances since rejoining from Fulham, compounds an existing injury crisis in attack. Rodrigo Gomes is out with ankle ligament damage, though he is said to be progressing well. Bertrand Traore is nursing a hamstring issue in a problematic area, while Boubacar Traore is close to a return from a calf problem and should be back in full training within a fortnight.
This news comes as Wolves prepare for a key away fixture against Burnley on Friday evening. The team's form has been inconsistent, with their last five Championship matches yielding two wins and three losses in a WLLLW sequence. Their most recent outing was a 3-1 defeat at home to Bolton, where Jean-Ricner Bellegarde scored their only goal.
With Jimenez absent, the goalscoring burden will fall more heavily on others, including top scorer Fer López who has four goals this season. Manager Cesar Peixoto now faces a test of his squad's depth as Wolves sit ninth in the table, outside the play-off places on goal difference. The club's current standings position and a detailed look at the available squad highlight the challenge ahead. Jimenez is expected to return to action in the new year.
Background and full detail: BBC Sport Football
