Wolves keeper Rui Patricio recovered and ready for West Ham

The 33-year-old shot-stopper suffered a worrying head blow against Liverpool before the international break and had to be taken off on a stretcher.

As a result, he did not go away with Portugal, and with the time to recuperate at Compton, he is now back to full fitness and set to be between the sticks against the Hammers at Molineux.

“After the incident he had some days being assessed by the doctor,” said Nuno.

“The decision was made for him not to join the national team.

“So, he was here, he had time to recover and now he’s fully in training sessions, he’s completely recovered and ready to go.”

Patricio needed extensive treatment after an accidental collision with Wolves skipper Conor Coady in the loss to the Reds, but it was later revealed that he was conscious after the game and did not need to be taken to hospital.

He is expected to keep up his streak of starting every Premier League game for Wolves this season.

The welcome news on his condition came as part of a larger injury update from Nuno, who also revealed Daniel Podence is back in training and in contention for the clash with David Moyes’ high-flying side.

The creative forward has been sidelined with an adductor issue since early February but is getting ‘better’.

“He’s returning. He’s better from his injury,” said Nuno on Podence.

“He’s been able to join some parts of the training session, so it’s the same procedure, trying to get back his fitness levels and totally recovered from the injury.

“We’ve been able to put him in the squad, and let’s wait and see.”

Nuno also updated supporters on star striker Raul Jimenez, who enjoyed a productive training camp with Mexico over the international break as part of his recovery from a fractured skill.

The Wolves chief says they still ‘cannot be 100 per cent sure’ when the 29-year-old will return, but they remain hopeful he will be back in action before the end of the season.

On Jimenez’s time with Mexico before their loss to Wales in Cardiff last weekend, Nuno said: “It was good.

“It was something we think is useful, him being part of the national team, having some time with team-mates – they are friends.

“People need to be close to each other. Everybody was really worried about Raul.

“So, he’s been able to slowly progress and show to everybody that he’s ready, but we have to be patient and follow the medical protocols.

“We still cannot be 100 per cent sure on when he’s going to return, but the signs are positive.”

Nuno previously said he was ‘totally confident’ Jimenez – who is currently taking part in sessions wearing a protective headband which he could go on to use in matches – would feature once more in 2020/21.

He had scored four league goals before sustaining the injury when clashing heads with David Luiz against Arsenal in November.

When asked if getting Jimenez back playing this campaign remains the aim, Nuno added: “Hopefully yes, but let’s be patient and leave the decision to the doctors because it’s a serious situation where we cannot afford any kind of mistake.”