Leeds United do not expect summer signing Izzy Brown to be fully fit and ready to make his debut for the club until the turn of the year, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The regional newspaper detail the update in an analysis of the injury problems sustained by the club since the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa and the introduction of intense training methods and a high-tempo playing style.
The Yorkshire Evening Post report attacking midfielder Brown is still completing his rehabilitation from an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury sustained in January and is two months away from being in contention to play for his loan club.
Hay had earlier claimed that the player would “probably” be fully fit in October.
Brown will take a bit of getting up to speed after his injury but Leeds believe he’ll be good competition for Saiz as the season goes on. Already a promotion winner with Huddersfield.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 30, 2018
probably October before he’s 100%
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 30, 2018
OPINION
This is an alarming update, as far as Leeds fans are concerned. Previous reports have stated the loan signing from Chelsea would be available by the autumn, but it now appears the club will be well into their winter programme before he is ready for selection. It is also likely Brown will require a month or two to reach peak match fitness, something that is set at a high bar in the Leeds side. Therefore, it could be March before the attacker is fully up to speed. What appeared, on the face of it, to be a shrewd signing now looks like turning flat and it is highly questionable how much of an impact Brown can have in the club’s bid to return to the Premier League after a decade-and-a-half in the lower league doldrums. He is rated highly enough by Chelsea for them not to include a permanent option in the loan deal and has already had impressive spells on loan in the Championship at Rotherham and Huddersfield. But, news he will not be in peak condition possibly until the Spring suggests Leeds might have been better off recruiting another attacking midfielder in the summer window.