Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed striker Raul Jimenez will miss the club’s trip to China due to fitness concerns. The Mexico international has been away with the national team at the Gold Cup and helped his side lift the trophy after beating the United States in the final.
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Jimenez was named the player of the tournament after scoring five goals and that tally adds to his 17 he scored while on loan at Molineux. He officially became a Wolves player earlier this month but Nuno does not want to rush the 28-year-old back and he will miss the trip that will see Wolves compete for the Asia Trophy, along with Romain Saiss.
“Raul and Saiss will not go to China and they will be here on July 22,” said Nuno ahead of Wolves’ friendly with Newcastle on July 17. “For Raul, you look at last season and he had a different season than the previous three seasons [playing more].
“We have to realise what we are going to do. It would be a big mistake to force him and not give him enough time, not to completely recover, but to rest. It’s important. “We keep the same the programme for every player. Every player involved in their national team, the day after they finish, they have two weeks off.”
