Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that striker Raul Jimenez will undergo surgery on his left knee this week and is not expected to return to action until January.

The 35-year-old Mexico international suffered a medial collateral ligament injury during Wolves' Carabao Cup defeat at Everton a month ago. The club had initially hoped the injury would heal without an operation, but repeated scans over the past three weeks have shown no adequate progress.

"Unfortunately Raul's injury has not responded as we expected. Normally the ligament for a fairly low-grade injury would heal on its own, however this has not responded as we were expecting, and after regularly scanning for the last three weeks, the ligament is not healing in the anticipated way," said Wolves director of performance Phil Hayward.

Hayward confirmed Jimenez will have the procedure in London on Friday before facing approximately three months of rehabilitation ahead of any return to competitive football.

Brighter outlook for three Wolves absentees

While the news on Jimenez is a blow, Hayward offered more encouraging updates on three other players currently sidelined — Rodrigo Gomes, Bertrand Traore, and Boubacar Traore.

Gomes sustained ligament damage in his ankle and is waiting for inflammation to subside before his rehabilitation programme can properly begin. Hayward described the injury as one that should not keep the winger out for an extended spell.

Bertrand Traore is recovering from a hamstring problem. Hayward acknowledged the injury sits in a part of the muscle prone to recurrence, meaning the club are taking a cautious approach, but stressed the issue itself is minor and that Traore is responding well.

Boubacar Traore, meanwhile, has returned to the training pitch after a calf problem kept him out for around two weeks. Hayward indicated the midfielder could be back in full training within a week or two.

Championship picture

Wolves currently sit ninth in the Championship table, missing out on the play-off places on goal difference alone. The club travel to Burnley on Friday evening, looking to cement their push toward the automatic promotion spots.