Saikat Mandal

Thu 23 February 2023 22:10, UK

Leeds United left-back Junior Firpo says he is very happy that his injury problems are behind him finally, during an interview with Sport.

The Whites will face Southampton in their next Premier League game on Saturday (25 February) at Elland Road, and the Spaniard looks in good shape. He says that he has “forgotten” about injury problems.

The 26-year-old missed a chunk of action in 2022/23 with a knee injury, and only recently returned to action. He started against Manchester United in the 2-0 defeat at Elland Road earlier this month and could feature against Southampton as well.

He joined the club in the summer of 2021 but picked up several major muscle injuries that prevented him from settling in properly at the Yorkshire club.

“Yes, I am very happy. I have already forgotten the injuries, I have put myself in the hands of a nutritionist and a cook and the injuries are behind me,” said Firpo to Sport.

Future

Firpo has barely featured this season, but he can expect to play regular games under new manager Javi Gracia.

The left-back was heavily linked with a move away from the club during the January window, with El Desmarques (10 January) reporting that a potential return to Real Betis could be on the cards.

Firpo is a good player but he has really struggled to adjust to the pace of the Premier League. He keeps on making blatant errors at the back, although he is better going forward.

Despite signing Max Wober in the January window, Firpo has stayed on. Wober can play as a central defender, which will allow Firpo to continue at left-back.

It is really good to see that he is taking great care of his health, but his long-term future at the club will depend on how he plays for the rest of the season.

Firpo has a contract at Elland Road until 2025, and there’s no pressure on him to leave if he performs well.

In other Leeds United news, the club are now leading the race to sign an in-demand young attacking talent from a European giant.