Leeds United receive new Willy Gnonto update as injury expert shares true extent of latest lay-off
Willy Gnonto is enduring yet another injury lay-off at Leeds United.
The Italian has suffered with fitness issues at Elland Road since the start of the season, and hasn’t featured at all since the 1-0 defeat at Fulham on 13 September.
Gnonto’s long-term future at Leeds continues to come under speculation in the meantime, with a pair of Saudi Arabian clubs both understood to be keen to take him in January.
Nevertheless, Daniel Farke will be desperate to have him back fit and firing as soon as possible, but his return may still be some way off after this latest suggestion.
Willy Gnonto surgery to require 6-8 weeks recovery
Farke and Leeds had been hopeful to have Gnonto available in some capacity for last weekend’s trip to Brighton, but the game clearly came too soon for the winger.
The 21-year-old wasn’t part of the Whites squad that travelled down to the South Coast for the encounter, and his team have badly missed his creativity during his absence.
Gnonto has now recovered from his initial calf problem, but the West Yorkshire outfit opted to sanction surgery for him during the October international break to correct a hernia that he had suffered.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar has suggested that Farke and Co. are likely to be without the wideman for a further period, given the typical timeframe needed to recover from surgery.
“[Gnonto] is likely looking at six-to-eight weeks following the minor hernia surgery (likely a sports hernia),” Brar said.
“So, you would expect him to miss more time yet.”
Leeds may be tempted to cash in on Willy Gnonto in January
Gnonto’s future at Leeds was uncertain in the summer, and the situation looks set to be similar for him in January.
The Whites are blessed with plenty of options on the flanks, with the likes of Noah Okafor, Brenden Aaronson, Daniel James and Jack Harrison all capable options on the wings.
Farke simply doesn’t need five wingers to rotate through, and with that in mind, it would be no surprise to see at least one of those moved on in January.
The interest from Saudi Arabia may prove too much to resist at Elland Road, as the prospect of netting a significant fee for Gnonto could become a very realistic one in January.
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