MX23RW : Monday, May 3 03:50:52| >> :120:19956:19956:

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:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
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
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
National League
National League North
National League South
Turkish Super Lig
Russian Premier League
Swedish Allsvenskan
Danish Superliga
Finnish Veikkausliiga
League of Ireland Premier
Segunda Division
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Major League Soccer
Copa Diego Maradona
Liga MX
AFC Champions League
Chinese Super League playoffs
Premier League 2 - Div 1
Premier League 2 - Div 2
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City34255471244780
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd331910464352967
3Leicester CityLeicester34196961392263
4Chelsea341710753312261
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341681060382256
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham331671053431055
7Liverpool33159955391654
8Everton33157114542352
9Arsenal34147134637949
10Aston Villa331461348381048
11Leeds UnitedLeeds34145155052-247
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33118143245-1341
13Crystal Palace33108153456-2238
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton34813133539-437
15Southampton33107164159-1837
16Burnley3399153045-1536
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3499163656-2036
18Fulham34512172545-2027
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom33510183064-3425
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3452271860-4217

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!