Junior Firpo closes in on Leeds United return as he considers international future
Junior Firpo has revealed he has nearly completed his recovery from injury and is hoping to feature again for Leeds United soon.
The 27-year-old has yet to feature this season for the Whites having last played in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign that saw Leeds relegated to the Championship. Despite much speculation around his future, the left-back remained at Elland Road.
Firpo has impressed Daniel Farke behind the scenes throughout pre-season leading the Whites to not sign another left-back [Graham Smyth, 31 August] and the former Barcelona player has confirmed he is almost ready to return to action with United.
Speaking in an interview with Momento Deportivo RD (4 September) he said: “Right now I’m feeling very well, I’m almost recovered from my last injury with a lot of desire to play for the team again.”
Firpo also revealed that he was honoured that Dominican Republic fans want him to play for the national side and that he intends to one day play international football for the tricolour.
Huge boost
Leeds United need options in defence and most fans at Elland Road will be hoping that Fire’s return happens sooner rather than later. With Sam Byram missing currently out with injury, Farke’s choices have been limited, although Jamie Shackleton did impress against Sheffield Wednesday.
Shackleton is primarily a defensive midfielder and although he can provide cover at right-back if Farke and Leeds have a genuine ambition to return to the top flight this season, they will need players who are being used in the best positions for most matches.
Although Firpo wasn’t always the most popular when the Whites were in the Premier League, there is an expectation that he can be a real asset in the Championship, where his defensive responsibilities will likely be lessened and he will be afforded more freedom to attack.
The days of Mohammed Salah or Marcus Rashford running at the Dominican left-back are gone and hopefully, he will be able to rediscover the form that made him so highly rated in Spain. After all, not many players can feature 41 times for Barcelona.
Whether or not Firpo can remain fit once he returns will be his next challenge, but hopefully, Leeds fans will finally see the best of their left-back this season, especially if he’s already managed to win over Farke.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has revealed the Whites were happy to allow a midfielder to leave on deadline day