The Mexico national team have concerns over Raul Jimenez's current fitness, in an update that will no doubt be equally worrying from a Wolves perspective.
The Lowdown: Jimenez injury-prone
Ever since suffering a potentially life-threatening head injury during the 2020/21 season, the 31-year-old hasn't managed to return the same player.
Other fitness issues have been a key reason for that, with Jimenez finding himself in and out of Wolves' team and unable to get any rhythm to his game.
The striker has been sidelined for much of this season so far, starting just two games in the Premier League, and he is also absent for Mexico currently.
The Latest: Mexican FA concerned
According to Fox Sports journalist Ruben Rodriguez [via Sport Witness], there are worries that Jimenez could even be a doubt for the upcoming World Cup, outlining his conversation with Mexico manager Gerardo Martino:
"And how do you see the panorama? And he told me by pulling a face: ‘complicated’. It gives you a little overview of how it is; so the issue is complicated.
"Not even Raúl himself knows when he can be one hundred percent, and we have to wait.
"Raul’s best friend is time and the doctor. It doesn’t matter if he’s doing well or not football-wise. The doctor is the one who will tell.
"And I imagine that Raúl himself will have to be very self-critical, very responsible and say: ‘Martino, I’m ready’ or ‘I am not ready’. That’s how clear the panorama is with Raúl Jiménez."
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The Verdict: Costa needs to shine
At 31, and with so many injuries behind him, it does feel as though we have seen the best of Jimenez, who could now increasingly become a bit-part player at Wolves.
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He has only scored ten league goals in the last two-and-a-bit seasons and it may be that new Wanderers signing Diego Costa takes his place in the team once he himself is fully fit.
The fact that Mexico are so concerned about Jimenez's fitness over a month from the tournament is going to be immediately worrying for Bruno Lage, who will desperately hope he can have his striker at 100 per cent again at some point in the near future.