JIMENEZ SKULL SURGERY

WOLVES striker Raul Jimenez faces a huge battle to resume his top-level football career after having surgery on a fractured skull. The Mexican had the operation in the early hours of yesterday and is said to be in a comfortable condition in a London hospital. Jimenez was unconscious after an accidental clash of heads with David Luiz during Wolves’ 2-1 win at Arsenal on Sunday. Jimenez is understood to have regained consciousness at the Emirates Stadium before he was transferred to hospital. His team-mates are known to be extremely concerned about the 29-year-old forward, who now faces an uncertain future. There is no timescale yet for when he might be able to leave hospital. Ryan Mason was forced to retire in February 2018 after fracturing his skull while playing for Hull against Chelsea in January 2017. Yet former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech resumed his career a little more than two months after sustaining a fractured skull in a game against Reading in October 2006. Wales forward Kieffer Moore was out of the game for a similar period but is now playing regularly again, while Corry Evans, Don Goodman and Iain Hume were all able to continue with their careers after longer spells on the sidelines. A Wolves statement read: ‘Raul is comfortable following an operation last night, which he underwent in a London hospital. ‘He will remain under observation for a few days while he begins his recovery. ‘The club would like to thank the medical staff at Arsenal, the NHS paramedics, hospital staff and surgeons who, through their skill and early response, were of such help. ‘The club ask that Raul and his family are now afforded a period of space and privacy before any further updates are provided in due course.’