Leeds United left back Barry Douglas has revealed he has sacrificed his days off to continue working towards full fitness as he hopes to be back by next week.
The former Wolves star, who joined the Elland Road squad over the summer, has been in and out of the side this season due to a number of injury problems and his latest issue has seen him feature just once in the last five games, surviving for 45 minutes against Norwich City.
Speaking of his setback, the Scottish ace revealed he was giving up the time off given by manager Marcelo Bielsa in order to push for a swift return, eyeing a training ground spot over the next seven days.
He told LUFC TV: “Hopefully I’m not far away, I’ve been working with Ruben, the rehab coach, and I’ll be in again tomorrow while everyone’s enjoying their holidays. That’s what we need to do.”
“Maybe next week I can progress back with the team and take it from there.”
Opinion
Douglas looked like one of the most exciting signings that Leeds made last summer after what was a blinder of a season with Wolves but he has struggled to make the desired impact at Elland Road so far. He does look a solid option at the back but there have been few signs of his rampaging runs forward. His coming in and out of the team on a regular basis does nothing to help him settle in and build up a run of form and so it is really important he focuses on his fitness between now and the end of the season. To hear he is giving up days off is a good sign for the Elland Road faithful and it should mean it is not too long before they get to see him back in action. They need all the bodies they can get with the amount of layoffs in an already paper thin squad and you can imagine Douglas could play a big part in their title battle if he can stay fit and firing.