Nuno upbeat for Jimenez Wolves return as D-Day for last hurdle revealed

Raul.Jimenez.2021.TEAMtalk1

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is ‘hopeful’ that forward Raul Jimenez will return to action this season but will listen to the advice from experts later this month.

Jimenez, 30, has not played since fracturing his skull in a sickening clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz. He was immediately taken to hospital on November 29 and underwent surgery. It was thought that the Mexico international had little chance of playing again this season.

Jimenez had scored four goals in 10 Premier League appearances prior to his injury. In his absence, Wolves have struggled to find the net, with only 33 from 34 top-flight games.

The Molineux outfit have four league games remaining in 2020-2021. And there is an outside chance that the former Benfica ace might play some part in a couple.

He has been back in training for a few weeks but has yet to receive the green light to head the ball. The man with 86 Mexico caps is booked in to see a specialist on May 18.

That meeting will determine whether or not he can resume playing. Wolves are due to face Everton the following day while they play Manchester United four days later in the season finale.

And Nuno is keeping his fingers crossed that his talisman is given the nod.

“We are hopeful this can happen,” he said. “Raul will see the specialist on the 18th and from there on we will know exactly what we need to do.

May 7 Transfer Chatter: Manchester United's hunt for a striker, Manchester City and Liverpool battling it out for midfielder and Jose Mourinho's transfer wishes.

May 7 Transfer Chatter: Manchester United's hunt for a striker, Manchester City and Liverpool battling it out for midfielder and Jose Mourinho's transfer wishes.

Friday's transfer chatter with Jordan Simpson.

“We need clearance from the specialist. Until then he is working and he is totally fit.

“We still have precautions on him heading the ball and this kind of contact but the 18th is an important day to move forward and make the right decisions.”

Nuno tight-lipped on late-season selection  

Despite a below-par campaign by their previous standards, the West Midlanders sit 12th in the table. They are safe from the threat of relegation but have no chance of gaining a European place.

With that in mind, Nuno selected a number of youngsters in Monday’s 1-1 draw with West Brom. Fabio Silva, 18, notched his fourth Premier League goal but the Portuguese tactician refused to speculate on future selection.

“It is an opportunity for everybody as a squad,” he added. “We have four games to go that must be and should be very useful to us in terms of how we compete and how we approach the games.”

READ MORE: Nuno cites familiar reason why Wolves struggled to beat West Brom