Five things spotted on Leeds United's first day of pre-season as forgotten faces return - YEP 28/6/22
Leeds United welcomed back the bulk of their squad ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign this week
By Joe Donnohue
The day upon which players return to the training ground
following their summer breaks is always a milestone in any football season’s
calendar.
Some return sun-kissed, others sporting new hairstyles, but
on the whole the mood tends to be a jovial one, focused on a fresh start.
This year’s pre-season calendar already looks very
different; it will be the first time in four years that Marcelo Bielsa and his
crew of coaches have not welcomed the players back to Thorp Arch.
Head coach Jesse Marsch greeted his squad at Leeds Beckett
University before they underwent a variety of fitness tests on Monday morning.
New addition Marc Roca was present, even if Leeds’ two other
summer signings Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen were absent, given an
additional week’s rest due to their involvement on international duty
throughout June.
Leeds released a gallery of images from the first day at
Leeds Beckett and Thorp Arch – here are five things the YEP observed on day one
of pre-season.
Dallas and Ayling
Both players were on crutches at Brentford a month ago, but
nevertheless arrived on Monday.
The stalwart pairing are recovering from separate surgeries
and remain sidelined from action, but were present for customary testing.
Dallas had been seen without crutches whilst celebrating
Liam Cooper’s wedding in Ibiza over the summer, however the Northern Irishman
was once again using them yesterday. It will not be until the turn of the year
that Dallas is close to a return from his femoral fracture, meanwhile Ayling
could miss anywhere between ‘2-4 months’, Marsch said towards the end of the
season.
Patrick Bamford
Music to the ears of Leeds supporters will be news that
striker Patrick Bamford has fought his way back to health and appears ready to
tackle the new season head on.
He took part in the preliminary tests without any sign of
the issues which robbed him of 29 league appearances missed through injury last
season.
Ian Poveda
A forgotten face at Leeds, winger Ian Poveda made a return
to official photographs at Thorp Arch following a difficult season on loan at
Blackburn Rovers. The youngster injured himself early on during that campaign
and was faced with a lengthy rehabilitation period back at Leeds, but would
play no part for the Whites during 2021/22.
The ex-Man City attacker was spotted alongside members of
the first-team group on day one of pre-season.
Loanee return
Left-back Leif Davis was another forgotten face spotted in
Leeds’ pre-season gallery at Thorp Arch on Monday. He was pictured alongside
teenage midfielder Archie Gray who looked to be involved with the first-team
group.
Davis’ future remains in the balance, but Gray is expected
to play an integral role for the Under-21 setup this season after an impressive
debut season as a 15-year-old in Under-23 football last term.
Cody and Cry
Both Cody Drameh and Crysencio Summerville were keen to gain
first-team experience out on loan last season, but only the former was granted
a temporary exit. The duo returned to Thorp Arch on Monday keen to fight for
senior roles at Leeds this year.
