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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith

Marco Silva confirms Raul Jimenez set for Fulham return in time to face Tottenham before international break

Raul Jimenez is back in Fulham training and set to return to action when they host Tottenham at Craven Cottage next weekend.

The Mexican, 32, joined the club in the summer on a £5.5million move from Wolves, who Fulham visit on Saturday.

Jimenez has scored five Premier League goals in his first season for Fulham but has missed the last five games due to a hamstring injury, and will again miss out at Molineux.

But manager Marco Silva said on Friday: “Raul has been involved in the training sessions.

“It’s probably too early for him to be involved. Next week he’s going to be available and fully fit to help the team.”

Fulham head to Molineux in strong form, having beaten Manchester United and Brighton in their last two league fixtures. Particularly notable has been the form of striker Rodrigo Muniz, who has registered five goals and one assist in their last five games.

Rodrigo Muniz has stepped up for Fulham in recent weeks (Action Images via Reuters)

Silva said of the in-form 22-year-old Brazilian: “The potential that I see in him is the same as when I decided to sign him and brought him from Brazil.

“At that age, at 20, at Flamengo, he had the same potential right now. Now it’s two and a half years, and it’s a normal process. He’s a young striker that needs time, needs confidence and goals.

“The first season was really positive, for someone aged 20, without speaking English. It was a good season for him considering we had a striker who scored 40 goals [Aleksandar Mitrovic]. Last year was not the best for him.

“We decided to send him on loan to play more games. [He didn’t end up going], but he grew in a different way. It showed him that life is not that easy and you have to be on the top level when the chance comes and be ready.”

Silva added: “This season, he finally got the chance and is showing his quality. Apart from the potential he has, he’s a very good boy, trying to learn. He’s stepped up and now we have to keep supporting him the same way as before.

“I don’t want to take credit for the players. We are there to do our job. He was a player that, when I joined the football club, we saw in Brazil. No one knew him. He was really young. We saw some games and noticed there was something there that we could work with to develop him. I am pleased with him if he’s doing well.”

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