Joe Gelhardt blow emerges at Sunderland as Leeds United loanee misses training on Friday
Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt has been hit with an injury problem as he missed training with Sunderland on Friday, Tony Mowbray has revealed.
The 20-year-old had scored a lovely goal in the Mackems’ 1-1 draw with Huddersfield on Tuesday (18 April) but is now a doubt for Sunday’s trip to West Brom.
Mobrway shared that the Whites’ youngster has been carrying an ankle problem for some time so may be able to feature still.
The Black Cats boss said in his pre-match press conference on Friday (21 April), as per Chronicle Live: “Gelhardt didn’t train today, he’s had an ankle problem for a few weeks, but hopefully he will train tomorrow and come with us.”
Set back
Gelhardt’s luck in his short career as a senior player hasn’t been great and that has very much continued during a loan spell that was supposed to give him the chance to break out.
Amid high expectations back at Elland Road following a few memorable star turns late in the relegation battle last season, he was quickly lost in the shuffle under Jesse Marsch this term.
His undeniable talent meant there was plenty of interest when he was made available for loan in January, but Mowbray’s plan to pair him with Ross Stewart in attack was immediately scuppered when the Scot was ruled out a day after the Leeds United man signed.
Having been therefore pushed into action as a number nine on a regular basis Leeds have at least learned that Joffy is not the stand in for Patrick Bamford that some had hoped in the previous campaign.
He had featured in every one of the past 15 Championship fixtures, displaying a durability that wasn’t a feature of the 12 months prior to moving to the North East, but another knock has hit him now.
Given how little impact Georginio Rutter has had since his club-record January arrival at Elland Road, and the way the Sunderland loan quickly got pushed off course, it is tempting to feel that Gelhardt may have been better off back with his parent club, but the hope will have to be that he overcomes his ankle issue and at least gains as much more experience as possible in the final weeks.
In other Leeds United news, a multiple Champions League winner has given one Whites player a “perfectly integrated” verdict.