Long-term Leeds absentee close to comeback
By Alex Stevens
Charlie Taylor is closing in on a Leeds comeback following nearly two months on the sidelines.
Manager Garry Monk revealed on Thursday that the highly rated defender is set to return to training next week as he steps up his recovery from an achilles problem.
The impending return of the club’s premier left-back is a major boost as Leeds prepare for the promotion run-in and their bid to end their 13-year spell in the lower leagues.
Speaking to Leeds United TV, as quoted by the club’s official Twitter account, on Thursday afternoon, Monk revealed that the club staff are “very hopeful Taylor will be back on the pitches next week” at their Thorp Arch training headquarters.
Taylor is the only member of Leeds’ first-team squad who is not available for Saturday’s clash against Cardiff at Elland.
Kemar Roofe had been a doubt after missing the defeat at Huddersfield last time out but a scan on his injured rib has come back all clear and he is in contention to place against Neil Warnock’s side.
The loss of left-back Taylor for another fixture is a blow to Leeds, given that he is rated as an outstanding prospect and was reportedly the subject of £7million bids from Premier League clubs in January.
The 23-year-old has been replaced by Gaetano Berardi for nine of the last 10 games but the Switzerland international is a natural right-back and is out of position on the left side of the defence.
Monk’s side are aiming to get their promotion bid back on track after losing 2-1 to Huddersfield last Sunday in a fiercely fought encounter.
Leeds are are fifth in the table after accumulating 54 points from 30 matches, 18 points ahead of Warnock’s side, whose main ambition is to avoid getting sucked into a relegation battle.
In other Leeds team news, the club came within a whisker of signing this forward on deadline day.
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