Leeds United's opening day opponent Wolves facing player shortage after receiving severe injury blow

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be without striker Raul Jimenez for the first month of the season through injury
Bruno Lage has a selection dilemma on his hands ahead of his side's visit to Elland Road on the opening day (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)Bruno Lage has a selection dilemma on his hands ahead of his side's visit to Elland Road on the opening day (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Bruno Lage has a selection dilemma on his hands ahead of his side's visit to Elland Road on the opening day (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Leeds United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road in their opening fixture of the 2022/23 Premier League season but will not face striker Raul Jimenez, according to The Telegraph.

The Mexican international has sustained a knee injury during pre-season and could miss up to eight weeks, including the fixture against Leeds in ten days’ time.

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Jimenez was sent off against Leeds in March as United came back from two goals down to complete a famous victory at Molineux.

Wolves have also loaned out back-up striker Fabio Silva, while wide forward Francisco Trincao returned to Barcelona following the conclusion of his loan spell at the end of last season.

This leaves boss Bruno Lage with limited attacking options, although a permanent move for RB Leipzig forward Hwang Hee-chan should alleviate some of the Midlands club’s concerns heading into the opening month of the season.

The proximity to Wolves’ opener at Elland Road means the likelihood of signing and registering a new striker in time to face United is improbable but not out of the question.

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So far this summer, Lage’s side have spent in the region of £36 million on central defender Nathan Collins and the aforementioned move for Hwang.

Wolves strikers Patrick Cutrone and Leo Bonatini spent last season out on loan but are yet to feature during pre-season, left out of all four friendly matchday squads.

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