Ilia Gruev makes injury admission after comeback for Leeds United U21s - 'Unfortunately...'
Ilia Gruev has opened up on the difficulties of missing five months of action for Leeds United because of injury.
The Bulgaria international last featured for Leeds' senior side against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 April.
Gruev missed the business end of last season, the whole of pre-season and the start of this season.
However, Gruev made his Leeds return for the Under-21s in Sunday's Premier League 2 clash with Middlesbrough.
He played over 80 minutes on his comeback, with that late substitution planned as he is eased back to full fitness.
Gruev is now relishing the chance to break back into Daniel Farke's senior side once he can regain full fitness.
Ilia Gruev opens up on lonely Leeds recovery
Spending time on the sidelines is never easy for a footballer.
If there is any silver lining for the 26-year-old, it is that the injury happened towards the end of the previous campaign.
That means half the time he has spent out coincided with the summer, with Bulgaria not competing at the World Cup.
Still, Gruev has had to put in countless hours behind the scenes to get himself back on the field.
Speaking to Leeds' official website about his rehabilitation, Gruev admitted it has been tough.
“I really love to play football and to be able now to be back on the pitch after this injury it is the best thing for a footballer, to be healthy and to feel good" he said.
"I think it looks always a little bit easier when you see only how the player comes back but in terms of the rehab, it is a little bit a tough time sometimes.
"You work a lot alone, you stay hours and hours in a training ground because you have a goal to be as quick as possible.
"And unfortunately, these injuries belong to the business and it is tough but now the difficult part is over and I can do that what I love most."
Leeds' match with Boro finished in a 4-4 thriller, with Gruev's return the most notable aspect of the day.
What next for Gruev on comeback trail?
It is a tad surprising that Gruev lasted as long as he did against Middlesbrough.
Eighty-plus minutes after a long period out is never easy.
But he seemed to be fine after leaving the field, and you would imagine he will now play at least one more match for the U21s.
There is an extended international break after next weekend, so it may well be that Gruev links up with Bulgaria for some minutes.
Right now it is all about ensuring the injury is fully healed and his fitness is back to 100 per cent.
Only then will Farke consider Gruev for senior selection, with the earliest realistic chance to do so against Arsenal on 10 October.