Wolves’ goalscoring woes this season have stemmed from a lack of options in attack, with Raul Jimenez’s injury causing huge problems for the Old Gold.
What’s the word?
The 31-year-old was rushed back in pre-season and suffered a setback with his groin issue, which has kept him out of action since the stalemate against Bournemouth in late August.
But interim manager Steve Davis will be forced to contend without Costa, Kalajdzic and Jimenez for this weekend’s game against Arsenal, as it was confirmed that the latter has already travelled to meet up with the Mexico squad, despite his injury problems.
Express and Star journalist Liam Keen confirmed the news on Twitter, saying:
“Raul Jimenez is currently in Spain with Mexico national team doctors continuing his rehab. He is then back in England this weekend, but will not be fit to play for Wolves before the World Cup.”
A blow for Wolves
Last season saw the former Benfica man finish as both Wolves’ top goalscorer and top assister in the Premier League with six and four respectively, so it is perhaps no surprise that the Old Gold have the fewest goals in the top flight in his absence.
Sasa Kalajdzic was brought into ease their woes up front but after the Austrian suffered an ACL injury on his debut, Bruno Lage felt the need to bring in Diego Costa, who boasts a record of no goals and one headbutt in six Premier League appearances so far.
New manager Julen Lopetegui will be hoping that by the time he takes charge of his first game against Everton on Boxing Day, the Old Gold are looking far healthier in terms of attacking options.
In his three appearances in the Premier League this season, Jimenez has failed to score or assist, as he has struggled to rediscover the “world-class” form he showed at Molineux before his awful fractured skull injury.
However, it is still a massive blow for Davis that he won’t be available again this weekend. Jimenez’s record before his injuries speaks for itself with the El Tri forward scoring 55 times in 150 outings for the Molineux outfit.
Any side would struggle without a record like that, let alone one struggling for goals as a whole.