Wolves and Mexico star Jimenez to miss start of season through knee and adductor injuries

Wolves have been dealt a blow ahead of the upcoming Premier League season after star striker Raul Jimenez was ruled out for "a number of weeks" with knee and adductor injuries.

Jimenez, who returned to first-team football 12 months ago after a fractured skull saw him sit out the majority of the 2020-21 campaign, is reportedly likely to miss at least a month of action after limping out of a 3-0 friendly win over Besiktas.

"Raul came off in the game against Besiktas after he stretched for the ball and felt something in his knee and his groin," an update on the club's official website revealed.

"Scans reveal that he has suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee and a minor strain of his adductor. Neither injury is very serious but he is expected to be out for a number of weeks."

The 31-year-old's setback is a blow ahead of a season that will also see him feature in the World Cup in Qatar, where Mexico will face Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Group C.

Jimenez, a key man in Mexico's attack, has 30 goals in 97 appearances for El Tri, a tally bettered only by six players in their history – led by ex-Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez with 52.

The injury represents a blow for Wolves, who are now set to begin the season without a recognised centre forward after loaning youngster Fabio Silva to Anderlecht.

Jimenez has scored 40 Premier League goals since moving to Molineux in 2018, over twice as many as Wolves' next most prolific player in that time - Diogo Jota with 16.

The latest from our medical team.

— Wolves (@Wolves) July 27, 2022