Wolves’ Raul Jimenez indicators to a team-mate throughout his Premier League comeback in opposition to Leicester
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez says he “appears like a participant once more” after making his Premier League return 9 months after fracturing his cranium.
The 30-year-old performed the total 90 minutes in Wolves’ opening-day defeat to Leicester.
It was the primary aggressive match he has been concerned in since he sustained the traumatic damage in opposition to Arsenal.
“I at all times thought that after my restoration I might be again to do what I like to do,” stated Jimenez.
“I by no means considered ending my profession. There was an opportunity of that, however I used to be at all times assured I used to be going to return.”
Jamie Vardy, who scored the one purpose in Saturday’s 1-0 win, and different Leicester gamers congratulated Jimenez throughout the recreation for making his comeback from a career-threatening damage.
When he performs now, Jimenez has to put on a protecting headguard which is modified to swimsuit his desire – and felt “actually comfy” on the weekend.
He added: “There have been completely different headguards since I began coaching with the staff. I really feel assured. If it was as much as me I would not use it. I might play regular.
“The docs advised me it was safety to forestall one thing. On this second it could possibly be extra harmful for me than every other participant. I do know I’ve to be in the identical line because the docs and surgeons.”
Jimenez damage was critical – Nuno
Jimenez doesn’t should keep away from heading the ball throughout coaching and he and the membership’s medical staff monitor what number of he does as a precaution.
He doesn’t keep in mind final November’s incident and solely recollects putting his belongings within the dressing room after a stroll to take a look at the Emirates pitch. The following factor he remembers is waking up within the hospital.
That’s perhaps why the Mexican has been capable of watch the conflict of heads with David Luiz – and even requested the physios at Wolves to ship him completely different angles so he can perceive what occurred.
Jimenez stated probably the most tough a part of his lengthy restoration was the frustration of feeling nicely sufficient to play on the finish of final season, however being advised by the medics his cranium was not prepared for the rigours of top-flight soccer.
“It is one thing you’ll be able to’t really feel since you really feel good, you’re feeling ready, however then on the final second within the MRI or the scans it tells us that it wasn’t absolutely recovered,” he stated.
“That was probably the most tough half since you assume you might be prepared, however you are not.
“It isn’t like I injured my knee or one thing I can really feel once I stroll. I felt actually good at that second, however it wasn’t my time but.
“I labored on that actually nicely I believe. Even once I knew that it was tough, once I acquired the discover that I might not be taking part in final season till this season, I needed to wait nearly three months to play once more.
“It was only a shock within the second, however 10 minutes later I stated ‘OK, I have to proceed restoration, preserve doing what I am doing to be prepared for subsequent season’. I used to be targeted on restoration.”
Wolves subsequent host Tottenham on Sunday and Jimenez will face their former supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo in what he says might be an emotional event.
The frontman added: “It should be good. He is been actually supportive throughout the previous months. I noticed him three weeks in the past. He advised me he was actually completely happy to see me play once more.”
