MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 10:23:42| >> :120:47482:47482:

Nuno Espirito Santo: 'Raul Jimenez is almost ready to go'

Nuno Espirito Santo: 'Raul Jimenez is almost ready to go'
© Reuters
The Mexico striker fractured his skull on November 29.

Nuno Espirito Santo says Wolves remain cautious over Raul Jimenez's return date as the Mexico striker waits on his next scan results.

Jimenez fractured his skull during a 2-1 victory at Arsenal on November 29 and has not played since.

The 29-year-old returned to training last month, although he has not taken part in contact sessions and has yet to receive clearance to start heading balls again.

"Everybody sees he's improving a lot and is almost ready to go," Wolves head coach Nuno said ahead of Sunday's Premier League home game against Burnley.

"We just expect now the next exam and the next decision of the surgeon and our own medical department.

"It will be soon, I think, and hopefully it will be better (news) because it keeps improving. Then Raul and myself have to sit down and create a new plan.

"Everything looked (like) he was joining us soon, but he still has to wait and be patient.

"The main issue is still the bone, we expected that, and that's why we don't allow him to head the ball.

"He still trains with his protection and we have to be careful because it's about the bone."

Jimenez, who joined up with the Mexico squad last month for friendlies with Wales and Costa Rica, has worn a tailor-made headguard since his return to training.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech wore a headguard after suffering a fractured skull against Reading in 2006.

"It's different to Petr Cech but it protects the part of the brain that is required," Nuno said of Jimenez's own head protection.

"He feels very comfortable with that and, as long as we have the clearance, he will be able to head the ball with that protection.

"Hopefully we will have clearance soon."

On whether Jimenez could return before the end of the season, Nuno said: "I can not answer that.

"We are all positive, this is what we want the most. It's our desire to see things happen.

"We have had to go step by step. The first step was to see that he was OK and he's fine, fantastic, and is improving.

"The second step was to integrate himself in the training sessions and he's doing very well.

"The third step is the clearance for him to head the ball. When that moment comes he will be ready for it."

ID:444569: cacheID:444569:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3661:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring against Leeds United in the Premier League on December 20, 2020
Read Next:
Premier League gameweek 33 predictions including Leeds vs. Manchester United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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!