Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a point at West Bromwich Albion on Monday night to push their biggest rivals closer to relegation from the Premier League. Wolves’ all-time record goalscorer in the Premier League has been sidelined since fracturing his skull in the early stages of the 2-1 win at Arsenal in November. Jimenez has already signalled his intention to return to football and having returned to training, spent time with the Mexico squad over the international break but wasn’t considered for selection.
Asked whether Jimenez will play again this season,
Nuno Espirito Santo replied: “Hopefully yes, but let’s be patient and leave the decision to the doctors because it’s a serious situation where we cannot afford any kind of mistake.”
Nuno Espirito Santo added: “It was good (Jimenez joining the Mexico squad). It was something we think is useful, him being part of the national team, having some time with team mates – they are friends. People need to be close to each other. Everybody was really worried about Raul. So, he’s been able to slowly progress and show to everybody that he’s ready, but we have to be patient and follow the medical protocols. We still cannot be 100 per cent sure on when he’s going to return, but the signs are positive.”
Willy Boly
Boly contracted coronavirus while on international duty with the Ivory Coast and missed Wolves’ fixtures with West Ham and Fulham before returning for the victory over Sheffield United. The centre-back also started the game against Burnley but he was pulled from training by club medics last week and wasn’t involved against Albion. Nuno has since revealed that Boly is suffering from symptoms of long Covid and will be examined this week.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “He’s in a tough moment. He was infected and this week he was not able to train. His heart rate increases very fast so we have to look. He’s doing exams and analysis to see if there’s any other issue. I hope not. I hope resting him and medically things will improve. After Covid everyone has to look at the after effects of Boly and many other players. We must be aware of that. His energy is not there. He feels tired and he’s not able to sustain the level of training that we want.”
Pedro Neto
Injury: Knee
Neto suffered a ‘significant’ injury to his knee cap and recently underwent surgery. The youngster is expected to miss the Euros and the start of next season but Wolves are remaining hopeful.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “The surgery went well. He’s positive and we are also positive about it. Pedro is a happy boy. He had a tough moment. But with the support of everyone here in the building, he’ll come through and return stronger. He’s doing well in the circumstances of the injury and the moment that he’s facing. It’s one of the things players have to overcome, when they’re faced with tough moments, to deal well with that and at the same time prepare them for the future and Pedro is a very determined boy.”
Jonny Castro Otto
Injury: Knee
It’s a similar story for Jonny, who has ruptured his right ACL for the second time in eight months. Jonny has also had surgery and now faces a long road back to recovery.
On Jonny and Neto, Nuno Espirito Santo added: “Now we have to wait for the period of recovery, but both of them are serious injuries. They went well, but now it’s a matter of time and staying focused on the period of recovery, which is very important for their return, hopefully both of them become stronger.”
Marcal
Injury: Hip
Marcal has suffered several injuries this season and only returned to action recently, but the Brazilian had to limp off just 22 minutes after coming on in Wolves’ game against Leeds United. The former Lyon defender had to have an operation to correct an issue in January and Nuno revealed that Marcal has again been forced to go under the knife due to an adductor problem.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “He’s a very good player and, in all the moments that he’s been available, he’s been a big help for the team. Every time you don’t have a player you have a problem and when you have a problem you need to find a solution. Now he needs to recover well and we hope that everything goes well with the surgery so hopefully he can be available again this season.”
