Wolverhampton Wanderers may have lost last night, but some very good news quickly followed for supporters.
Striker Raul Jimenez will be returning to the first-team picture for the start of 2021/22, as confirmed in an official statement.
The Mexican talisman has not featured in Old Gold since the awful clash of heads with David Luiz at Arsenal back in November, which left him with a fractured skull.
The player has been back training with teammates for a while now, but has not been engaging in full contact activities or been heading the ball.
But he’ll now start to do those things after getting approval from a specialist.
Part of the club’s lengthy statement read: “His skull fracture has now healed well; he will wear a protective headguard to cover the area of bony injury for the remainder of his career, but it is adjudged strong enough for him to return to play with this protection.
“A brain injury such as concussion can take weeks and months to recover fully and TBI will sometimes leave lasting deficits. It is wonderful to be able to say that Raul has made a remarkable and excellent recovery to date.
“He has no measurable signs of deficit and is now at the stage when he can contemplate a return to the career he loves; but a degree of caution is still required.”
Seeing the harrowing scenes unfold that night at the Emirates Stadium, it is truly amazing to learn that Jimenez will take to the field again and doesn’t have lasting damage.
Fans would have loved to have seen the 30-year-old take to the field in the final game of the season against Manchester United at Molineux.
But they can absolutely accept having to wait just a little longer.
Here’s how some people reacted on social media:
Brilliant!
— Rich (@Richwolves64) May 19, 2021
INCREDIBLE news!!! Cant wait for next season and see him doing what he does best 🐺 ⚽️
— Jo Gough 🐺🐺 (@Goughy_WWFC) May 19, 2021
How we all feel when reading that news pic.twitter.com/c052a7e28j
— Mark (@markgsx_r) May 19, 2021
Yes!!! Literally just ran downstairs and read the statement to my dad!!! Absolutely buzzing 🧡🖤 welcome back Raul!!!!
— Lara Jevons (@mrszulferino) May 19, 2021
So good to hear. Be like a new signing 😃🧡
— Phil 💙 (@PhilBethell) May 19, 2021
Magnificent news – absolutely over the moon for him. Can’t wait to see him run out in the gold and black next season.
— Greg Cooper (@GeeCCee) May 19, 2021
Awesome news first and foremost for him and his family. To simply recover from an injury like that for any of us, let alone someone who has to then go play elite sport, is a huge win.
— Bradders77 (@Bradders771) May 20, 2021