Willy Gnonto injury: Leeds United return date for forward after further blow confirmed - YEP 25/9/23
Willy Gnonto missed the 3-0 win over Watford with an injury
By Ben McKenna
Leeds United were dealt an injury blow ahead of their win
over Watford after Daniel Farke revealed on Friday Willy Gnonto had injured his
lateral ankle ligament.
The problem was sustained 20 minutes into the midweek draw
at Hull City with Gnonto forced from the field in East Yorkshire. After
Saturday’s win over Hull City, Farke confirmed the Italian would need surgery
before he was able to return to action.
He is expected to be out until the next international break
which takes place in mid-October. Providing an update on Gnonto, Farke said on
Saturday: “He’s done his ligament. He also needs a little surgery but not because
of the ligament but because there’s so little bone that has to be cleaned, so
he will be out I guess until the next international break.
“It’s obviously a blow for us but it happens in football,
injuries happen and we hope to have him back as quick as possible.”
Farke was unable to provide an exact timescale for Gnonto’s
return but the player looks set to miss the next three games - at least. Leeds
travel to Southampton on Saturday for a 12.30pm kick off before hosting QPR at
Elland Road on Wednesday, October 4. They are back at home a few days later
with Bristol City the visitors on Saturday, October 7.
Then comes the October international break with Leeds
travelling to Norwich City on Saturday, October 21 and finishing the month with
a trip to Stoke City and then a home game with Huddersfield Town.
Gnonto has so far made five Championship appearances for
Leeds, scoring one goal. Farke does have plenty of cover in forward positions
as highlighted by Saturday’s win over Watford.
Georginio Rutter, Daniel James, Joel Piroe and Crysencio
Summerville started against the Hornets with Farke able to bring Jaidon Anthony
and Ian Poveda off the bench while Patrick Bamford is back in team training and
close to a first-team return.