Wolverhampton Wanderers will face West Bromwich Albion in Sunday's Black Country derby without striker Raul Jimenez, after the 35-year-old suffered a knee injury during Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat at Everton.

Jimenez was substituted seven minutes before half-time in Wolves' 1-0 loss and will now sit out a fixture that already carries enormous weight in the Championship table. Wolves go into the game three points behind James Morrison's Baggies, though they do hold a game in hand.

A "key player" unavailable at the worst possible moment

Wolves head coach Cesar Peixoto was candid about the significance of the setback, speaking to BBC Radio WM in the aftermath of the Everton defeat.

"Raul has injured his knee," Peixoto said. "It is not too bad. But we are all frustrated because he is a key player for us. He will stay injured for a few weeks. But we have this break for the internationals to recover, so he will stay with us."

The timing, at least, offers a partial silver lining. The upcoming international break means Jimenez will not be racing against a packed fixture schedule immediately, and Peixoto acknowledged that the pause is "timely." Even so, losing your most effective forward on the eve of the division's most fiercely contested local rivalry is a blow that no amount of scheduling can fully soften.

What Jimenez had been delivering

Jimenez returned to Molineux this summer after three years at Fulham, and he had been making a genuine impact. He has scored three times in the Championship this season: two from the penalty spot and, most recently, a late winner from open play against Sheffield United last Sunday. That ability to produce in the big moments is precisely what Wolves will be missing.

It is worth noting that Jimenez has never played in a Black Country derby. He missed both fixtures during the post-Covid 2020-21 season after fracturing his skull in a collision against Arsenal, and circumstances now conspire against him again. Sunday would have been his first experience of one of English football's most charged local contests.

Peixoto was asked whether he had considered resting Jimenez at Everton given the derby's proximity. His answer was telling: "He had to play to stay in the rhythm to play on Sunday." The calculation did not pay off, and Wolves must now reshape their attacking options.

West Brom's own absences

Albion are not without their own injury concerns. Winger Mikey Johnston is sidelined for the foreseeable future with an ankle problem, and defender Nolan Galves remains out with a knee injury. However, Morrison's side will welcome back Brayann Pereira, who serves the final game of a suspension picked up when he was sent off on his Baggies debut at Derby.

On paper, the absence of Jimenez shifts the balance slightly towards West Brom, who arrive at Molineux as the form side in the division's local rivalry. Wolves have not won a home league derby against Albion since May 2011, a run that underlines just how much Sunday's fixture matters to the Wanderers faithful.

The table context

A three-point gap with a game in hand means Wolves are very much in the mix at the top of the Championship, and a home win against their nearest rivals would close the gap immediately. But Peixoto will need his squad to step up without their leading threat. Who fills that void, and how effectively, may well define where Wolves sit in the table when the international break ends.

We do not yet have a clear prognosis on how many games Jimenez will miss beyond Sunday. Peixoto's "a few weeks" suggests he is unlikely to feature again until after the break, at the earliest. Wolves will hope the damage is limited to one or two fixtures rather than anything more serious.

Frequently asked

Is Raul Jimenez fit for the Black Country derby against West Brom?
No. Jimenez suffered a knee injury during Wolves' Carabao Cup defeat at Everton on Wednesday and will miss Sunday's Championship derby against West Brom. Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto says he will be out for a few weeks.
How many goals has Jimenez scored for Wolves this season?
Jimenez has scored three times for Wolves since returning to Molineux this summer: two penalties and a late winner from open play against Sheffield United.
What is the Championship table situation between Wolves and West Brom before the derby?
West Brom lead Wolves by three points going into the derby, though Wolves have a game in hand. A home win would close the gap significantly for Peixoto's side.