SM
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool: 19 hrs 52 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Nuno Espirito Santo: 'Jimenez must play for Wolves before Mexico'

:Headline: Nuno Espirito Santo: 'Jimenez must play for Wolves before Mexico': ID:441573: from db_amp
The striker has been out since November after fracturing his skull.

Nuno Espirito Santo insists Raul Jimenez cannot be considered for the Olympics unless he plays for Wolves first.

Mexico boss Gerardo Martino is eager to take the striker to the delayed Tokyo Games in the summer if he is fit.

Jimenez is still recovering from the fractured skull he suffered against Arsenal in November but is in light training with Wolves.

He linked up with Mexico during the international break as he returns to fitness but Nuno believes Jimenez needs to play before the end of the season to be in contention for the Olympics.

The Molineux boss said: "I think he must join us, the moment it is clear he can play for Wolves then anything can happen but, first, he must play for us.

"With all the respect to the national team coach it's our decision. I understand he is positive and wants to count on Raul for the Olympics but we have to be patient here. We have to make the right decisions, not afford any kind of mistake and respect the doctors.

"He was delighted to be there (on international duty), it made sense, they protected him and he's a more positive person. All his Mexican team-mates have seen him, asked all the questions but they saw a good Raul and each day he was better."

Wolves host West Ham in the Premier League on Monday with Rui Patricio available after being knocked out in a collision with Conor Coady in last month's 1-0 defeat by Liverpool.

Nuno added: "In that moment it was scary, everyone was worried, he had to stay being assessed and was with the doctors and that made him not go to Portugal.

"He has trained well this week. Every time there is a situation like that, especially for us as we have trauma from before, it's scary."

Joao Moutinho is a doubt after picking up a problem while on international duty with Portugal but Daniel Podence is back in training following a groin issue.

amp_article__441573 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-04-02 14:53:35:
html db last update - 2021-04-02 16:29:22 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Raul Jimenez

Click here for more stories about Mexico

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .