Leeds United statement reveals Ilia Gruev injury extent and surgery update before Sunderland visit — YEP 3/10/24
By Graham Smyth
Leeds United have confirmed the full extent of Ilia Gruev's
knee problem as he joins Ethan Ampadu on the long-term injury list.
Gruev went down in need of treatment during the first half
of Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Norwich City and although he attempted to come back
on and play, he soon sank back to the turf and had to be replaced. The sight of
the Bulgarian international limping off was a hammer blow for Leeds, who lost
captain and Gruev's midfield partner Ampadu to knee ligament damage on
Saturday.
Ampadu, for whom doctors have recommended a conservative
treatment approach, is expected back in team training in around 10 weeks and
might play again in January. Gruev, however, requires surgery after suffering a
'significant' injury to his meniscus. The YEP understands Gruev is looking at
months out of action, rather than weeks.
A club statement read: "Leeds United midfielder and
Bulgaria international Ilia Gruev sustained an injury to his right knee during
the club’s Sky Bet Championship draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road on
Tuesday, which saw him withdrawn in the 20th minute. Further assessment
revealed Ilia has sustained a significant injury to his meniscus and will
undergo surgery in the coming days which will require an extended period of
rehabilitation. Everyone at Leeds United sends their best wishes to Ilia and we
wish him a speedy recovery."
Whites boss Daniel Farke is now without both of his senior
central defensive midfielders, who until Tuesday's visit to Carrow Road had
started each Championship game so far this season. Summer signings Ao Tanaka
and Joe Rothwell, who are offensive-minded number 8s by trade, formed a central
midfield partnership in the wake of Gruev's exit on Tuesday and the pair will
be expected to hold down the fort until the new year at least.
Farke has confirmed that Leeds will at least explore the
free agent market for a potential solution to what has quickly become an injury
crisis. The Leeds boss admitted he was not a fan of signing players in October
due to match fitness issues and various reasons why players out of work at this
time of year might actually be problematic additions.
Ampadu was also considered Farke's first-choice replacement
should Pascal Struijk become unavailable. His second-choice, Max Wober, has
also suffered a knee injury and will be out for six weeks after having surgery.
Cover is now thin on the ground for Leeds' central defence and in midfield,
while wingers Manor Solomon and Daniel James are both out. Full-back Isaac
Schmidt missed the visit to Norwich with a glute issue.