Leeds United will be hoping the winter break has provided them with the opportunity to get several of their injured contingent back to full fitness.
With the Whites out of the FA Cup, there is a 17-day break between their defeat against Newcastle United last time out, to their next fixture at Aston Villa in a weeks’ time.
Leeds have been ravaged by injuries for much of this season so far and were without eight players against the Magpies.
But with a number of those said to be closing in on their returns to fitness, here is a look at how the injury list is shaping up.
Patrick Bamford – foot
Striker Patrick Bamford just cannot seem to escape his injury issues this season, with Marcelo Bielsa reporting that a fresh foot injury is what kept him out of Newcastle.
Bamford, though, is someone who could’ve benefitted from the winter break, however Bielsa did not seem too confident on his involvement at Villa Park post-Newcastle.
What Bielsa said (22/01/22): “ I have my doubts. I'm not sure. It's not just about being able to count on him, it's that he arrives in conditions to develop his game and a player who's gone so long without playing, it opens up a question mark, after he is healthy, how long he needs to show his regularity.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Raphinha – ankle
Leeds supporters will have woken up to the worst possible news this morning after Raphinha was forced off in the 82nd minute of Brazil’s 4-0 win against Paraguay.
The knock came as a result of a heavy challenge, although he did manage to leave the field on his feet, albeit with a limp.
The Whites will seek to discover the extent of the injury upon his arrival back from international duty.
Potential return date: Unknown
Adam Forshaw – hamstring
Forshaw missed the defeat against Newcastle after he suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of the win at West Ham six days before.
The 30-year-old, though, confirmed that his injury is not serious and is likely to be back for next week’s trip to Villa.
What Forshaw said (17/01/22): “It’s only a small hamstring injury. I’m fighting to be back ready for Saturday [Newcastle]; if not, I’ll be back straight after the break.”
Potential return date: 09/02/22
Junior Firpo – hamstring
Similarly, to Forshaw, Firpo also limped off in the first half of the win at the London Stadium with a hamstring injury.
It is also thought that the issue is not too serious, and that he could be back for the clash at Villa Park, although only time will tell.
Potential return date: 09/02/22
Jamie Shackleton – heel
Shackleton has not featured for the Whites since he was forced off in the first half of the 7-0 defeat to Manchester City in mid-December.
He is expected to be fit for Villa, though, if Bielsa’s timeline on his recovery is accurate.
What Bielsa has said (07/01/22): “Shackleton and Cresswell are after the [January] break.”
Potential return date: 09/02/22
Charlie Cresswell – shoulder
Like Shackleton, Cresswell is also expected to return for next week’s game against Aston Villa.
He has been recovering from a dislocated shoulder injury he picked up in training in the days leading up to the December defeat against Arsenal.
What Bielsa has said (07/01/22): “Shackleton and Cresswell are after the [January] break.”
Potential return date: 09/02/22
Kalvin Phillips – hamstring
Midfielder Phillips is closing in on a return to full fitness two months on from the 2-2 draw with Brentford, when he suffered the hamstring injury.
He revealed in an interview with Sky Sports last month that he is on track with his recovery and therefore should be back in March.
What he said (28/01/22): “[The surgery] all went well. They said that I’m on track as well so that’s a good thing to hear.
“I felt there was something wrong, I’ve never had a hamstring injury before so I didn’t know exactly what it was. I tried again for I think 30 seconds and I knew that it wasn’t right to carry on playing."
Potential return date: 12/03/22
Liam Cooper – hamstring
Cooper is also targeting a return from injury in March after suffering the same injury, in the same match as Phillips.
What Bielsa has said (31/12/21): “We have been recovering players, even if Phillips and Cooper will return in March.”
Potential return date: 12/03/22
Sam Greenwood – knee
After being handed his full debut for the club in the 2-0 FA Cup third round defeat at West Ham, Greenwood had to be substituted at halftime due to injury.
Despite not showing signs of any problems on the pitch, Greenwood has had to undergo surgery on his knee and is expected to miss the next few weeks.
What has been said (14/01/22): “Sam has undergone successful surgery on a knee injury sustained in the FA Cup tie vs West Ham.”
Potential return date: Unknown
