Wolves' Raul Jimenez out until January for knee surgery

Wolves striker Raul Jimenez is out until January and needs surgery on his left knee.

The 35-year-old Mexico international will go under the knife in London on Friday. He then faces around three months of rehabilitation before he can play again, according to BBC Sport.

Jimenez damaged his medial collateral ligament, the strong band of tissue that steadies the inside of the knee. The injury came in Wolves' Carabao Cup defeat at Everton a month ago. The Carabao Cup is England's early-season knockout competition.

Treatment has not worked as hoped. Rest and rehab did not settle the knee. Surgery is now the only route back.

Wolves director of performance Phil Hayward confirmed the plan and the timeline. That word carries weight. Hayward leads the club's medical and fitness department.

For supporters, this one hurts. Jimenez brings calm and know-how at the top of the pitch. He holds the ball up, links play and gives younger forwards someone to learn from. Three months without him is a long stretch.

He is not the only name in the treatment room. Rodrigo Gomes has injured ankle ligaments and is making progress, but his recovery is still at an early stage. Bertrand Traore has a small hamstring injury in a difficult part of the muscle. Boubacar Traore has been out with a calf problem and is expected back in full training in the next week or two.

Wolves laid out the full picture in an official Men's First-Team injury update titled 'Jimenez set for surgery', published on Wolves' website.

The timing is awkward. Wolves sit ninth in the Championship, English football's second tier, outside the play-off places on goal difference only. The play-offs are the end-of-season mini-tournament that decides the final promotion place to the Premier League.

They play away to Burnley on Friday evening. They will have to do it without their most experienced striker. That tests the squad. It also opens the door for someone else to lead the line.