Leeds United employee thrilled by Ian Poveda as training ground picture emerges
Noel Whelan has insisted Jesse Marsch has handed Ian Poveda a major “morale boost” by involving him in training at Leeds United.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the 22-year-old may have struggled mentally after his serious injury blow back in November.
In a photo posted by Leeds’ official Twitter account on Friday (22 April), Poveda, who is still recuperating from an ankle fracture and ligament damage, can be seen standing next to Dan James in a team meeting on the training pitches.
The Lancashire Telegraph (20 April) reports Poveda will return to Blackburn to be assessed ahead of their final games.
Whelan insisted just being included among the squad in training would be a big boost for the winger.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Just to be out there and involved on the training ground is a morale boost to an injured player.
“You spend a lot of time in the treatment room locked away from the outside. Away from the grass, away from the football environment. You’re trying to get yourself, rehabilitating the injury.
“I’ve been there with long-term injuries, six months, it’s not a nice place to be. It can break you at times with the mental side of it.
“Just to be out there, kit on, boots on, walking around out there on the training grounds. It’s that next step in the rehabilitation.
“You know you’re getting closer and closer to the end where you could come back. Maybe finish the season on a high and fit and raring to go for next year.”
Poveda has played eight times for Blackburn this season.
He has 20 first-team appearances under his belt for Leeds.
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