MX23RW : Wednesday, May 29 07:12:07| >> :120:52615:52615:

Nuno Espirito Santo "totally confident" Raul Jimenez will play again this season

Raul Jimenez has been out since fracturing his skull in November but has returned to training.

Nuno Espirito Santo say he is "totally confident" striker Raul Jimenez will return to action before the end of the season.

Jimenez has been sidelined since fracturing his skull in the Premier League win at Arsenal in November when clashing heads with David Luiz.

The 29-year-old has returned to light training at Compton Park and when Nuno was asked how confident he was that the Mexican would be back before the season ends on May 23, he said: "Totally confident, for sure."

Jimenez scored 27 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season and seven in 15 appearances for club and country during the current campaign before his shocking collision with Luiz.

"The speed (of his recovery) is the speed that we need to follow," Nuno said. "We have to be very aware of the circumstances and avoid any kind of contact.

"He's been able to participate in the initial part of the training sessions. Just him being with his teammates is a big help for him, and for us.

"We are following the right protocols with no rush, but we're delighted Raul is getting better and better day by day. It's fantastic for us."

Following Jimenez's shocking injury, Wolves won only one of their next 11 league games, prompting suggestions the Mexico international was sorely missed.

But Nuno is satisfied his side have coped and, after an upturn in results this month, they will bid to extend their current unbeaten run to five games at Newcastle on Saturday.

"All the team that have lost important players have problems," Nuno said. "But it's up to us to find solutions.

"Some of them I can mention take some time because of all the routines of the team, a special player like Raul.

"But I think we've been able to find the right way to improve our players, so the absence of Raul is not important and the squad has reacted well.

"We are playing good, we're trying to improve our game. This is what it's all about.

"Since the moment Raul was no longer with us we have tried to find solutions and the players have been giving everything."

Nuno will still be without centre-half Willy Boly (hamstring) and winger Daniel Podence (hip) for the trip to St James' Park.

Brazilian defender Fernando Marcal is also unavailable after being forced out of last week's home win against Leeds.

ID:436910: cacheID:436910:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3897:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Edinson Cavani heads the ball during Manchester United's Premier League clash with Chelsea on October 24, 2020
Read Next:
Premier League gameweek 26 predictions including Chelsea vs. Manchester United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!