The full return of Wolves duo Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez will be crucial ahead of the visit of Newcastle United on Sunday. The Magpies are unbeaten in the Premier League (W1 D2), while Wolves are still awaiting their first league win of the new campaign.
A familiar theme has prevailed under Bruno Lage during the embryonic stages of the season with Wolves finding the net just once across their first three matches.
They scored only 38 goals throughout the entirety of the 2021/22 season with only the three relegated teams – Burnley (34), Watford (34) and Norwich City (23) scoring fewer.
Traore has come off the bench in Wolves’ last two games against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur respectively and Jimenez returned as a second half substitute at Spurs. However, neither have made a single Premier League start this term.
Jimenez and Traore, two pillars of the side dating back to Nuno Espirito Santo’s era, fired Wolves back to winning ways against Preston in the Carabao Cup during midweek. Jimenez opened the scoring inside eight minutes, before Traore added a second just before the hour-mark.
Former Liverpool midfielder Ben Woodburn scored what proved to be a consolation for Preston but the return of Traore and Jimenez has provided a much-needed injection of optimism.
Traore has returned to Molineux after spending the second half of last season on loan at FC Barcelona. The Spanish international may have only found the net eight times for Wolves in the Premier League but his frightening pace and adept dribbling ability makes him a focal point in attack.
Traore's final product has always been a common criticism but the pair will be looking to rediscover their telepathic partnership which made them such a dangerous force in 2019/20.
Jimenez scored 17 goals, while Traore registered nine assists, but a horrific skull injury has halted Jimenez’s goal-laden spell at Molineux. The Mexican striker scored just six times in 34 league matches last term and will be keen to find the net on a more consistent basis in 2022/23.
But after Wolves’ difficulties in the final third during the opening stages of the current season, the return of Traore and Jimenez can only be viewed as a huge boost for Wolves.
READ NEXT
- Eddie Howe confirms Martin Dubravka Manchester United contact
- Newcastle boss Eddie Howe responds to Manchester United Martin Dubravka interest
- Howe's subliminal messages, transfer business conducted behind Tranmere stands
- Chris Wood says Newcastle United survived trial by TV test at Tranmere Rovers
- Eddie Howe praises heroic Jamaal Lascelles
