Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has handed manager Marcelo Bielsa a big boost by revealing he hopes to be fit and firing for the club’s clash against Millwall after the international break.
The 27-year-old has been missing for the Argentine boss for the last eight games due to an injury blow after featuring as a mainstay in the starting XI, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in 16 consecutive league matches.
With a two week break for international fixtures, Forshaw has admitted he was hugely frustrated by his injury problems but that he is looking at coming back against Millwall in what will be a great boost for the Whites.
Asked about his knee injury, he told LUTV: “It’s improving, it’s been frustrating, I’m not going to lie. Probably went slightly longer than I would have hoped but hopefully I can be ready for the next game.
“At times I’ve come in and it’s been painful so we’ve had to step back a little bit to go again or try different gym exercises – it’s been frustrating but it’s part and parcel.
“I can push on this week and join in with the team, get some reall good training minutes in me and be ready for Millwall. I’ve had quite a frustrating season. I want to make sure I’m 100 per cent right before I come back in.”
Opinion
This is great news for Bielsa, who has no doubt missed the talents of the midfielder in his side. He might not be the flashiest of players but the former Middlesbrough man brings balance and experience to the starting XI, not to mention an important screen ahead of the defence at Elland Road. There is a reason he started so many games before his layoff and after watching his teammates fail to stop Sheffield United from leapfrogging them in the promotion hunt, losing 1-0 to the Blades at home before the two week gap in fixtures, he must be hopeful of making an immediate return to the side. Bielsa might want to ease him gently back into the swing of things but with only eight games remaining before the end of the season there is no time to waste. If he is fit and firing then expect him to return to the starting XI to help shore up the centre of the park.