Leeds United: Daniel Farke desperate for positive Ilia Gruev update after Bulgaria development
Daniel Farke will be hoping for positive news after Ilia Gruev was taken off at half-time during Bulgaria’s friendly with Azerbaijan.
Gruev played just 45 minutes for his county in what was labelled a FIFA Series match at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku on Monday (25 March).
That came a few days on from Gruev playing a full part in his side’s 1-0 win over Tanzania, again held in the Azerbaijani capital.
Gruev was tackled in the first half against Azerbaijan but seemed to recover from the knock and continued until the interval.
What is unclear is whether head coach Ilian Iliev always intended to play the midfielder for just half of the match, or if it was in fact injury related.
Leeds fans – and indeed manager Farke – will certainly have their fingers crossed that Gruev now returns back to Yorkshire fully fit.
Given the quick turnaround between the international window ending and club action resuming, Farke will be monitoring every player that is away.
Gruev has played a key part in United’s incredible run of form since the turn of the year and will surely start against Watford if fully fit.
The fact that Azerbaijan’s second and final friendly was on Monday (25 March) does work slightly in Farke’s favour.
A number of others will play again before returning to Thorp Arch, though, including the quartet of Wales internationals against Poland.
All Farke can hope for is that each of those avoid any sort of knock and are available for the big showdown at Vicarage Road, where Gruev will also hopefully feature.
In other Leeds United news, Ben Jacobs has shared an update on the future of Kalvin Phillips amid suggestions he could return to Elland Road.
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