Raul Jimenez opens up about World Cup chances amid injury concern

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez remains doubtful for the 2022 World Cup with an injury.

The Mexican striker has been sidelined for around two months due to a hip injury, making only three Premier League appearances this season.

Jimenez recently returned to outside training with Wolves after working on his recovery at the Mexican national team’s training facilities for around two weeks.

The 31-year-old has now commented on his chances of making the World Cup squad, stating that he would withdraw himself should he fail to recover.

Jimenez told ESPN: “Yes, I have thought about it (missing the World Cup). If I’m not, I’m not – I want to be honest with myself. If I don’t feel well, I step aside.”

“I’m doing well. It has been a little longer than expected. I’m working with the ball, separated from the group, but I’m already warming up with the team and I can do several things.

“To compete, I’m not for that; but it is expected that this week it will be more integrated.”

Mexican head coach Gerardo Martino is not ruling out Jimenez and Sevilla’s Jesus Corona – who is also out injured – for the World Cup, as he would be willing to wait for the duo until the last minute before releasing the final 26-man squad on November 14.

Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez looks like an ideal replacement for Jimenez if the Wolves striker fails to prove his fitness.

Gimenez has been in red-hot form for the Eredivisie outfit this term, scoring a goal against Lazio in the Europa League last night to put his side in the knockout round playoffs.

Mexico have been drawn in Group C alongside Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Poland. They face Poland in their first game of the World Cup on November 22.