Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has a few injuries to deal with in his squad at the moment, but one senior star is on his way back to full fitness.
Joe Rodon’s hamstring injury early in the season was a major setback for Farke, as the Welshman is now expected to be out for more than two months.
The Leeds boss has not ruled out dipping into the Janaury market for help if the centre-back takes more time than anticipated to recover and return to action on the pitch.
However, the manager has received some good news as a top senior star is on his way back to fitness after recovering from a long-term injury and could soon return to the first team.
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Leeds star proves fitness with the Under-21s
Ilia Gruve has been out of action for the first team since sustaining a serious knee injury in April, and has been recovering over the summer.
He has yet to make an appearance for the first team this season, but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel as the midfielder is on his way back to full fitness.
The Bulgarian played 85 minutes in Leeds United Under-21s’ 4-4 draw against Middlesbrough earlier today as the club ease him back into action.
He even created a goal in the game after providing the assist for Freddie Lane’s 72nd-minute strike.
The physical conditioning team will now assess how his knee has reacted to playing 85 minutes of football, albeit at the Under-21 level.
He won’t be part of the squad that will host Newcastle United at Elland Road on Monday night.
However, it remains to be seen whether Gruev makes the squad just ahead of the international break when Leeds take on Palace next Sunday at home.
Farke may even decide to wait until the end of the break to reintroduce him into the first-team squad.
🙌 Ilia Gruev stepped up his comeback from injury, playing 85 minutes of the U21s’ 4-4 draw with Middlesbrough, providing the assist for Freddie Lane’s 72nd minute strike pic.twitter.com/b5sOmPXKUl
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 13, 2026
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Ilia Gruev will have something to fight for when he returns to action
The competition for places in the middle of the squad is fierce, and Gruev is unlikely to make the starting eleven for a while, even if he returns to full fitness.
He is also in the final year of his contract, and Gruev will have to prove that he deserves to be offered a new contract and extend his stay at Elland Road.
There is also a distinct possibility that the midfielder will be allowed to leave in January if Leeds feel he does not have a long-term future at the club.
Gruev will have a lot in his mind when he returns to the first team fold in the coming weeks.
