Leeds United Football Club - Bakke And Johnson Return!
Leeds are welcoming the news that long term injury pair Seth Johnson and Eirik Bakke will make a big step towards fitness tonight when they line up for the reserves.
Both will play from the start in a strong reserve team to face Sunderland this evening at the Atlantic Solutions Stadium, Wakefield (7.00pm KO).
It will be the first return to competitive action for the pair who have not played a single first team game in the Championship.
Former England under-21 international Johnson ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in April and also suffered cartilage damage which immediately ruled him out him out for the calendar year.
Norwegian Bakke had only just returned from a bout of tendinitis when he too suffered cruciate ligament damage during United's pre-season tour of Sweden. It was at first feared Bakke would miss the entire season, but he made great progress and along with Johnson could be in a position to line up for United early next month.
Speaking to Leedsunited.com recently, Bakke said he was optimistic that his injury problems are over.
"I just am keeping my fingers crossed that everything stays fine and then hopefully you'll see me back in February.
"I am not worrying about my knee anymore because that feels like it's going to be fine now, it's just a matter of building up the strength in my legs and general overall fitness to be ready for matches.
"It's just the fitness at the moment that's lacking, I need that if I want to get back into the team."
Sunderland have included former Whites striker Michael Bridges in their line-up. Bridges played at Wakefield on many occasions whilst he recovered from his own injury problems after spending nearly two years on the injured list at Leeds.
United are also without keeper Scott Carson for tonight's game whilst speculation continues about his future.
United: Coyles, Edwards, McDaid, Spring, Constable, Seth Johnson, Chris Jones, Eirik Bakke, McMaster, Keogh, Martin Woods. Subs: Gray, Wilberforce, Keegan, Leister, Corr.
Leeds are welcoming the news that long term injury pair Seth Johnson and Eirik Bakke will make a big step towards fitness tonight when they line up for the reserves.
Both will play from the start in a strong reserve team to face Sunderland this evening at the Atlantic Solutions Stadium, Wakefield (7.00pm KO).
It will be the first return to competitive action for the pair who have not played a single first team game in the Championship.
Former England under-21 international Johnson ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in April and also suffered cartilage damage which immediately ruled him out him out for the calendar year.
Norwegian Bakke had only just returned from a bout of tendinitis when he too suffered cruciate ligament damage during United's pre-season tour of Sweden. It was at first feared Bakke would miss the entire season, but he made great progress and along with Johnson could be in a position to line up for United early next month.
Speaking to Leedsunited.com recently, Bakke said he was optimistic that his injury problems are over.
"I just am keeping my fingers crossed that everything stays fine and then hopefully you'll see me back in February.
"I am not worrying about my knee anymore because that feels like it's going to be fine now, it's just a matter of building up the strength in my legs and general overall fitness to be ready for matches.
"It's just the fitness at the moment that's lacking, I need that if I want to get back into the team."
Sunderland have included former Whites striker Michael Bridges in their line-up. Bridges played at Wakefield on many occasions whilst he recovered from his own injury problems after spending nearly two years on the injured list at Leeds.
United are also without keeper Scott Carson for tonight's game whilst speculation continues about his future.
United: Coyles, Edwards, McDaid, Spring, Constable, Seth Johnson, Chris Jones, Eirik Bakke, McMaster, Keogh, Martin Woods. Subs: Gray, Wilberforce, Keegan, Leister, Corr.
