A little under two weeks before the season commences, Leeds United fans have received some excellent news that one of two injured players will make a comeback in training this week, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP).
The player in question is Gaetano Berardi, a man whose literal blood-n’-guts displays (below) have endeared him to the Leeds United faithful. Not only has he given his all in the combative displays he has put in, he has also shown the poise and guile at right back to demonstrate that he is a first-choice in that position.
Once again Berardi bleeds for Leeds. #rufc v #lufc #berardi pic.twitter.com/sM1BcJuFdJ
— Smeddy lufc (@smeddy69) April 2, 2016
Swiss/Italian Berardi, who suffered two separate ankle ligament injuries last season, is said to be beating Leeds’ other injury worry, Liam Cooper, in the race to fitness, something that the YEP quote Leeds head coach Garry Monk as corroborating. Quoted in the YEP, Monk said: “Berra’s very much closer than Coops. He’s back out on the field and very near to training.”
Berardi’s return to the fold from his injury lay-off will be a welcome sign for Leeds United fans as the side are not overly-stuffed with players who can fill-in at the right-back position. Once you strip Berardi from the team, the only real option is Under-21 captain Lewie Coyle who is likely to be a first-team squad player this season anyway. Beyond that and Leeds will be dipping into the Under-21 Development Squad.
There has been hints of movement to alleviate this situation with the Whites said to be in the market for a right-back. On this situation, there is some form of confirmation coming from Icelandic international Hauker Heidar Hauksson that he and Leeds United are supposedly in talks with a view to him signing.
However, talk of new signings put to one side, the news that Leeds fans will be celebrating this morning is that Gaetano Berardi is back on the mend and back in the frame.
