Michael O’Neill provides potential injury return date for Leeds United defender Stuart Dallas
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has admitted that Leeds United defender Stuart Dallas has an “outside chance” of featuring for his country in the June international break.
Dallas, 31, has been out of action with a femoral fracture since April 2022 after suffering the injury in a Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Speaking prior to Northern Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Finland on Sunday (26 March), and as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, manager O’Neill admitted that the Whites defender had a slim chance of featuring for his country in June.
“Stuart has maybe got an outside chance,” he said regarding Northern Ireland’s clash against Kazakhstan on 19 June.
“I’m not relying on that. I know Stuart is desperate to be involved and he was desperate to be involved in this game, maybe unrealistically and he maybe pushed himself to his own detriment a little bit.
“But, look, the medical team we have here is top class and the communication with the clubs is excellent, which is very important.
“The clubs appreciate how we treat the players when they come away. We’ll just have to see how Stuart is at that point in time.”
Promising
After being welcomed into the Northern Ireland international camp over the last week due to his leadership role within the set-up, it finally seems like Dallas could be taking some steps in the right direction.
The injury he sustained almost a year ago was truly terrible and has certainly left Leeds United with a sizeable hole within their squad.
Although the Whites snapped up Rasmus Kristensen to fill his position in the summer, Dallas’ leadership within the dressing room cannot be understated, especially in a relegation fight such as the one Javi Gracia’s side are fighting in right now.
Despite this, the Whites and Northern Ireland shouldn’t rush Dallas back from this serious long-term injury.
Although he may want to feature and play a part in his country’s Euro 2024 campaign, his recovery must be taken with incredible care and consideration.
The fewer risks taken, the better, and if this means missing the international break in June, the club should hesitate in telling O’Neill the answer is no.
In other Leeds United news, the club have given their word to make an “immediate” permanent signing once relegation is avoided.
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest, breaking news from Elland Road.