Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui says the club need fresh blood to breathe new life into their season.
Wanderers go into the mid-season World Cup break rooted to the foot of the Premier League table and having sacked Bruno Lage last month.
Former Real Madrid and Spain chief Lopetegui is now at the helm and said as he was unveiled yesterday he wants reinforcements in January.
‘When the [transfer] market opens we have this possibility and we are going to do that,’ he said. ‘I’m not going to speak about names because the most important thing, with the next four matches we have to play, is this squad. We believe in this squad, we are going to work very hard.
‘We are aware we have to change some things in the team, the mentality of the players. We’re not thinking about the table, just the next match. We have a lot of finals in front of us and we have to play them one by one.’
Of the players already on the books, striker Raul Jimenez is a key one and his new coach has urged him to think about club over country.
Lopetegui wants the Mexico striker playing for Wolves when he returns from the World Cup, having not featured since August as he struggles with a groin injury. The 31-year-old spent time in Mexico last month as part of his rehabilitation and has been linking up the national team, although he was at Molineux to watch Wolves’ 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.
But, with Wolves short of goals – netting just eight so far – Lopetegui is concerned about Jimenez’s situation.
‘I have spoken with Raul, I am worried about him because he doesn’t play a minute with his team, Wolves,’ he said. ‘The most important thing is not the World Cup, it’s Wolves. I respect the decision of the player and the coach but above all for me it’s Wolves.’
Lopetegui has signed a three-year deal after Wolves first tried to appoint him in 2016, before he became Spain boss, and he initially turned them down in October amid concerns with his father’s health.
He said: ‘Now I am here, it is the right moment. I want to be here and I want to be in the Premier League.
‘I believe in the players, I believe in the club and together we can have a good future.’
MORE : Arsenal escape ‘absolute VAR error’ in Wolves win as early William Saliba avoids early red card
MORE : Diego Costa has apologised after Brentford red card, says Wolves interim boss Steve Davis
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
