Journalist Phil Hay believes that Stuart Dallas is at least ‘headed in the right direction’ as he looks to make a Leeds United comeback from injury.
Dallas’ campaign was abruptly ended last season as he suffered a serious setback in a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City.
He had to undergo surgery on a fractured femur with an original timescale for his recovery said to be six months.
The Northern Ireland international was spotted by journalist Adam Pope at Elland Road last weekend during Leeds’ friendly win over Cagliari and the writer took to Twitter to post a photo of the 31-year-old without any crutches or support around his leg.
Hay has been speaking on the latest episode of his Phil Hay show about the defender’s recovery and admitted that although there is still plenty of road to travel, Dallas is at least on the ‘right’ track.
He said:(18:20)”I saw Dallas today he’s off crutches but clearly, you know, he’s got a long way to go before he is over his femur injury.
“Massive, lovely big scar on his leg but you know, off crutches, so kind of headed in the right direction”
TIF Thoughts on Dallas and Leeds…
Will Leeds miss Dallas at right-back?
Yes
No
The 56-cap Northern Ireland ace emerged as a hugely versatile option under Marcelo Bielsa and had been operating in both full-back positions since Jesse Marsch arrived.
However, in his absence the Whites decided to bring in Rasmus Kristensen for £10m from RB Salzburg.
It will be interesting to see how the Dane fares in the Premier League seeing as Dallas took the step up to the big time like a duck to water scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 72 appearances.
Eight of those did come in the 2020/21 campaign as he played further forward with the highlight no doubt being a brace at the home of the eventual champions Manchester City and considering only goalkeeper Illan Meslier played more minutes (3,024) than Dallas (2,919) in the Premier League last term (Fbref) his loss will continue to be felt.