Cesar Peixoto shuts down James Morrison theory as Wolves prepare for West Brom | OneFootball

James Morrison has caused a stir with his initial comments after Raul Jimenez's injury

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach, Cesar Peixoto, has batted away any suggestion that Raul Jimenez missing this Sunday's Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux is down to 'mind games'.

This comes after Albion boss, James Morrison, was quizzed on the likely absence of the 35-year-old Mexican forward after he was withdrawn from Wanderers' EFL Cup loss at Everton on Wednesday just before half-time.

Naturally, excitement is building in this part of the world ahead of what is the first league meeting between the historic rivals since 2021, and a first with supporters present at Molineux since the visitors recorded a 5-1 rout in February 2012.

Both sides sit in the upper region of the Championship table heading into Sunday's derby having lost just two games between them in the league so far this season, albeit Wanderers do have a game in-hand due to their prior progress in the cup competitions.

Fixtures such as this can often provide a moment in which any given player can write themselves into folklore at Molineux or The Hawthorns if they were to score the winning goal.

Jimenez, of course, is already a cult figure at Molineux, but he will have to wait until the reverse fixture in B71 in February for the chance to do that, despite an intriguing initial reaction from Morrison.

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Jimenez already has three Championship goals to his name this season, including an 89th-minute winner against Sheffield United last Sunday, despite only starting in four matches to-date.

After playing just 27 minutes at Bramall Lane, it was decided that, ahead of Sunday's clash with the Baggies, the experienced striker would rack up another 45 minutes of gametime before being substituted at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but a minor knee injury ended his game eight minutes before the interval.

Peixoto then revealed that Jimenez would be absent for "a few weeks," but when asked about not having to face the striker on Sunday, Morrison responded with: "Obviously it's only a rumour at the moment, so we'll see.

"First of all he's a really good footballer and signing for Wolves. I'm not going to expect anything, really, until I see the teamsheet!”

When learning of his counterpart's verdict, Peixoto said in his own pre-match press conference: “I hope he plays, but it is not possible.

The Wolves boss reaffirmed: “I don’t lie, I don’t do mind games. For sure, 100 per cent (he won't play).”

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Jimenez scored 57 goals in 166 games in his first spell at Molineux, but that timespan was also overshadowed by a fractured skull which was sustained against Arsenal in November 2020 which kept him sidelined until August 2021.

Even when returning to Molineux with Fulham, the forward was always held in high regard by Wolves fans, and the love for the cult hero has only grown stronger on his return.

He has since broken his silence on the aforementioned injury, which will keep him sidelined until the other side of the three-week fixture gap.

An Instagram post read: I’ve overcome tougher battles before. Today is just one more," with teammates such as Joao Virginia, Yerson Mosquera and Rodrigo Gomes issuing supportive replies.

Wolves and West Brom have the capabilities to provide memorable derby

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Sunday's match is also the first Black Country derby at Championship level since April 2008, which West Brom won 1-0 en route to the second tier title under Tony Mowbray.

Even without the added storyline of Jimenez, Wolves certainly have the attacking and creative prowess to cause the Baggies problems, with a tally of 14 goals only bettered by Southampton and West Ham United.

However, even though some Albion fans will be wary of the likes of Fer Lopez and former Hawthorns loanee, Adam Armstrong, their own attackers, namely Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Aune Heggebo and Isaac Price could find joy as Wanderers have only kept one clean sheet all season and have shipped 10 goals themselves.