Leeds United midfielder Lewis Bate undergoes surgery at Oxford United on loan
Leeds United sensation Lewis Bate may not be back in time for Oxford United this season after he’s undergone surgery this week.
According to Oxford’s official website, they do not expect him back before May as he’s injured his hand which needed an operation.
In the 3-2 defeat against Derby County on 11 March, the 20-year-old picked up an injury and needed to be brought off after being named in the eleven.
The club statement read, “Lewis has enjoyed a successful loan from Leeds this season but broke a bone in his hand during the home game against Derby. He underwent surgery yesterday and as Liam Manning told us, looks unlikely to feature again for the U’s this season.
“It’s unfortunate but unavoidable. The nature of the injury just means we can’t risk him playing right now. He wanted to play on but we can’t delay it or it could lead to long-term issues and that is too great a risk so he is going to have to sit the matches out for the foreseeable future.
“Lewis is gutted but he is a very talented player and has a very bright future ahead of him; Oxford fans have seen that this season and like us will be wishing him a speedy recovery.”
Wishing him the best
Bate has had a successful season out on loan at Oxford and will be gutted to miss the rest of the season because of a hand injury.
The 20-year-old would want to get back as soon as possible, but it’s best for his long-term future that he takes it easy now.
He played 35 times for the League One club this season and also registered four assists as well as a goal.
It’s fair to say that Manning saw him as one of the first names on his team sheet and will also be unhappy at the prospect of not having him available for the rest of the season.
Hopefully, Bate has learnt a lot on loan and could look to challenge for a matchday squad role in the senior Leeds side next season.
He’s already been handed his debut by Marcelo Bielsa and it remains to be seen how Javi Gracia, or whoever succeeds him, views the 20-year-old.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites may have yet another injury concern going into the international break as player has trouble with his left ankle after the Wolves win.
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