Leeds United set to hold Ian Poveda talks after big injury blow
The future of Leeds United youngster Ian Poveda is up in the air following his ankle injury, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.
The winger has been on loan at Blackburn Rovers but was stretchered off against Bristol City earlier this month, with scans revealing that he suffered both a fracture and ligament damage in his left ankle.
Poveda underwent surgery last Thursday and will now begin his rehabilitation, with Rovers manager Tony Mowbray expecting him to be out for an “extended” period of time.
The Lancashire Telegraph suggest that this has cast doubt over whether he will feature for the Championship club again.
The report claims that there is a recall clause in Poveda’s season-long loan deal that would allow it to be officially cut short in January.
The outlet reveals conversations are set to take place between Leeds and Blackburn to discuss whether that clause is activated.
Bad timing
A serious injury like the one Poveda has suffered is devastating for any player, but it is particularly crushing for the 21-year-old as he was just getting up to speed in a Blackburn shirt.
After mostly being limited to fleeting substitute appearances in the first couple of months of his loan spell, Poveda completed 90 minutes for the first time against Sheffield United earlier this month and got a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win.
“Poveda plays on his left side and is a wonderful talent,” Tony Mowbray said after that game [via the Lancashire Telegraph].
“He came from Leeds who have a huge work rate and that was why we took him, we could see the talent.”
It seemed as if there was plenty more to come from Poveda, who would have felt he could have secured a starting spot in Rovers’ team.
If and when the winger is able to return, Ewood Park would seem like the best place for him to continue his development as he would get more game time and experience in senior football.
In other Leeds United news, a major update on the Whites’ January bid to sign attacker has been provided, with pen-to-paper imminent.