Joe Gelhardt quashes injury concerns, back in Leeds United training
Leeds United have had more than their fair share of injuries this season but the issues are starting to alleviate with another player back at full fitness.
Teenager striker Joe Gelhardt has been suffering from several small knocks recently that have prohibited his involvement in the first-team under Jesse Marsch since the American arrived at Elland Road.
He did come off the bench to score a 96th-minute winner against Norwich City for Marsch’s first victory as Whites boss but he is yet to play a full game under the new regime.
Gelhardt spoke to BBC West Yorkshire Sport Daily to quash any inkling that he was still out with a variety of knocks and confirm that he is back to full fitness again.
“I’ve been getting a few knocks recently,” Gelhardt said. “I had a dead leg, then a dead hamstring so I’ve been getting kicked for a few games but I’m fine now and back in full training.”
Born to score goals
There are some strikers who look like they have been trained to play there and then there are some who look like they were born to play there.
Gelhardt absolutely falls under the latter category and every time he has appeared in the senior side, he has looked like the real deal.
It’s a shame that he hasn’t been given more of a chance with wingers being preferred to play through the middle or injuries halting his progress so far this campaign.
Patrick Bamford will still be the club’s first-choice number nine when he is fit but it would be nice to see Gelhardt be trusted to lead the line whenever the England international is unavailable.
Instead, Dan James and Rodrigo have often been asked to play out of position as the team’s focal point, prohibiting the progress of the teenager.
With Premier League safety almost certainly secure, Marsch should be giving some of these youngsters a chance to assess who he can build a team around over the next couple of years.
In other Leeds United news, one statistic shows that this Whites ace is the best in the Premier League and they have to do whatever they can to keep him at Elland Road.