Raul Jimenez Ruled Out for Black Country Derby
Wolves have been hit by a major setback on the eve of the Black Country derby, with Raul Jimenez ruled out after injuring his left knee in the Carabao Cup defeat at Everton.
The 35-year-old striker, who has quickly re-established himself as a focal point since returning to Molineux in the summer, was forced off in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The timing could hardly be worse, with West Bromwich Albion due at Molineux on Sunday.
Jimenez ruled out for “a few weeks”
Head coach Cesar Peixoto confirmed the injury blow and the immediate consequences for his side.
“Raul has injured his knee,” he told BBC Radio WM. “It is not too bad. But we are all frustrated because he is a key player for us.
“He will stay injured for a few weeks. But we have this break for the internationals to recover, so he will stay with us.
“These kind of things can happen in the game or a training session. We don’t control these kind of things.”
The upcoming first international break of the season now becomes a small mercy for Wolves, offering Jimenez recovery time without the pressure of a relentless club schedule. For Peixoto, it at least limits the number of domestic games his main centre-forward will miss.
Derby debut delayed again
Jimenez’s absence carries an extra sting. He has still not featured in a Black Country derby.
The Mexico international missed both league meetings with Albion in the 2020-21 season while recovering from the fractured skull he suffered against Arsenal. This weekend was set to be his long-awaited taste of one of English football’s fiercest local rivalries. Instead, he will be watching from the sidelines again.
Jimenez has scored three goals since his return from Fulham – two from the penalty spot and, most recently, a late winner from open play at Sheffield United on Sunday. That strike underlined his sharpness and importance just days before the setback at Everton.
Peixoto stands by selection call
Peixoto was asked after the cup tie whether he had considered resting Jimenez ahead of the derby. The Wolves boss was clear.
“He had to play to stay in the rhythm to play on Sunday,” he said.
The plan was simple: keep his veteran forward sharp for Albion. Instead, Wolves now head into one of their defining fixtures of the season without the man they had built their attack around.
The derby will go on without Jimenez. The real question is how quickly Wolves can adapt – and how different their season looks if their key striker’s “few weeks” on the sidelines start to stretch.
