Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde was set to return to training on Tuesday following a calf injury, The Yorkshire Evening Post report.
The Lowdown: Calf problem
The Whites have 10 senior men injured at this moment in time, meaning Marcelo Bielsa has had to use a number of Under-23 players in recent defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal.
Hjelde, labelled as ‘superb’ by Paddy Kenny, hasn’t been available in recent weeks after suffering a calf problem in a 3-2 defeat against Manchester City’s Under-23’s at the end of November.
The 18-year-old arrived from Celtic in the summer and is clearly rated by Bielsa, after being named as a substitute in six successive Premier League games between September and November when the club’s injury list wasn’t as big.
The Latest: Training return
Leeds’ Under-23 manager Mark Jackson was talking to the media following the 0-0 draw with Everton on Monday evening.
He revealed that Hjelde was due at Thorp Arch for a return to training on Tuesday, labelling it as ‘a welcome boost to the club as a whole’.
The Verdict: Finally…
Although Hjelde is still yet to make a senior appearance for the Whites, having him back fit is still a welcome boost considering the situation at Elland Road.
Defender Kris Moore was named in a matchday squad for the first time against Arsenal, but with Hjelde now back, Bielsa could select him in the 20-man squad once again.
Hjelde will be able to provide cover at both centre-back and at left-back, and with the way Leeds are going at the minute, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the Norwegian receives his first taste of Premier League action for the Whites before 2021 comes to an end.
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