Injured Leeds United star sends message after returning to training
Ilia Gruev has shared his delight at returning to Leeds United training this week after a three-month injury absence following knee surgery.
The midfielder damaged the meniscus in his right knee during October’s 1-1 draw at Norwich City and required surgery that had kept him sidelined until this week. He had started every Championship game up until that point.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke revealed on Thursday that the 24-year-old - who has begun 34 of his 44 matches since joining from Werder Bremen 18 months ago - has recently taken part in sessions at Thorp Arch and “looks good”.
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The manager also confirmed that Junior Firpo had also been involved in training, having missed the last seven games due to a foot issue. It is unclear whether either will make the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Harrogate Town.
Nevertheless, Gruev is delighted to be back on the grass once more. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “I've missed this feeling so much… so great to be finally back with the team on the training ground again after my injury. Let's go!”
A number of teammates reacted to his post in the comments, such as Pascal Struijk, who wrote: “He’s back." Struijk himself only managed to train for the first time on Thursday after missing the clash with Hull City due to an ankle injury.
Scores of other teammates - including Firpo - sent congratulatory messages to Gruev upon his return to training. Ethan Ampadu, Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani reacted to the post, as did former Whites player Archie Gray and the Bulgaria national team account.
In other injury news, Patrick Bamford is sidelined for four weeks with a hamstring issue while top scorer Joel Piroe will be rested this weekend after suffering muscle complaints.
Max Wober has been struggling with his knee again and has been unable to train this week so seems unlikely to feature against Harrogate.
