Wolves striker Raul Jimenez has been included in Wolves’ final 26-man World Cup squad (via Fabrizio Romano).
The 31-year-old will be going to Qatar, surviving the squad being cut down from 31 by Tata Martino. But it is still currently unclear how much involvement he will have.
Jimenez has not kicked a ball since the end of August, when he played for Wolves in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
The star has been struggling with a groin injury that seemingly first flared up at the end of pre-season. But Wolves have previously said it’s an issue that has been bothering him for a long time.
Jimenez has been fighting to get fit for the tournament, and recently went to Mexico to continue his rehabilitation with national team medical staff. He was also accompanied by a Wolves representative.
And recently, he joined up with the Mexico squad in Girona.
The nation played against Iraq last week, and have a final friendly coming up against Sweden on Wednesday.
Mexico angered Wolves when they named Jimenez on the bench against Iraq.
He was never going to play, and Mexico told Wolves that they did it too make him feel included, before apologising to the club.
Jimenez was back in England over the weekend and reportedly had an injection for his injury in London. He is now back with the national team in Spain.
It has been reported he will not feature in the game against Sweden. It’s possible he could again be named on the bench for the same reason as last time.
New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui told reporters today that he is worried about the striker’s situation. He is hoping to have him back, because it is about Wolves and not Mexico.
Wolves fans will be watching Raul Jimenez like hawks over the next few weeks
So Jimenez has made Mexico’s final squad for the World Cup, which is not really that surprising.
Even if he doesn’t end up playing, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad and will offer leadership at least.
But many Wolves fans are expecting him to take to the field soon.
Some just can’t help but think that he has been ‘saving himself’ for the World Cup.
He could well play, and it might just be purely coincidence that he is ready to play just as club football has suspended.
But fans are going to be watching his level involvement very closely, and also how he moves if he does end up playing.