‘It’s not possible’ - Wolves boss rules out Raul Jimenez for derby clash but gives positive update on condition

The head coach was quizzed about Jimenez’s fitness in his pre-match press conference.

Cesar Peixoto (Picture: Getty Images)

Cesar Peixoto has insisted it is ‘not possible’ for Raul Jimenez to play in the Black Country and has rejected the notion of Wolves playing ‘mind games’.

West Brom manager James Morrison said this week he was preparing for Jimenez to potentially play on Sunday, despite the striker coming off with a knee injury against Everton in midweek.

Morrison suggested Wolves may be playing ‘mind games’ regarding the striker’s knock, but Peixoto was adamant that the Mexican is not available for selection.

“It’s not possible,” Peixoto said when asked if Jimenez could play.

“I’m not a liar, I don’t do mind games, for sure. 100 per cent.”

The head coach said he was hopeful Jimenez would return after the international break, as he revealed the injury is not as bad as first feared.

“It’s not so bad, it’s an easy injury and he’ll come back soon,” Peixoto said.

“It’s not as bad as we expected after the game.”

Peixoto was heavily criticised this week for starting Jimenez in the Carabao Cup, considering the importance of Sunday’s derby match.

However, the head coach insisted to Inside Wolves that he has no regrets about playing Jimenez.

“I wouldn’t do anything differently,” he said.

“Raul has to play, in the starting XI or from the bench.

“He had a good warm-up to stay at a good level so he doesn’t have problems and was going to play 45 minutes when the game is normally more organised and it’s better to manage.

“I did everything I thought was the best thing for Raul and for the team.

“Raul has to play and it’s better to play in the starting XI, rather than from the bench, in this kind of game.

“If we played Raul in the second half, it’s more difficult for him. Krejci and Nasser both played 45 minutes, and Adam and Raul were going to play 45 minutes each too, to manage the minutes.

“I know this game is very important to supporters, for us also, and it’s unlucky because we managed the situation not to have these kind of problems.”

Peixoto added: “He’s an important player for us, is 35-years-old and we have three games this week. Raul can play all the games but it’s not possible for him not to play any game to stay well and fit.

“He has to have minutes. We have to balance to keep him fit. If Raul doesn’t play (against Everton), it’s not enough to stay fit (for Albion).

“He was only going to play 45 minutes, to give him the capacity to stay fit, and the injury happened. It’s unlucky, it can happen in training also.

“But training is not the same, he needs the ryhthm of the game. Raul came later from the World Cup and he’s not 100 per cent fit, he needs minutes to push him and stay fit for the game.

“I hope the injury didn’t happen, but we have to manage the situation.”