Gabriel Gudmundsson has picked up a hamstring injury heading into the final month of the season
Gabriel Gudmundsson is looking forward to his first World Cup this summer(Image: Linnea Rheborg – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has insisted that Gabriel Gudmundsson will only return to action once he is fit, with the player’s first World Cup tournament just around the corner.
The full-back helped Sweden qualify for the finals via the play-offs last month, having been a mainstay under national coach Graham Potter. However, Gudmundsson – signed for £10m from Lille last summer – is set for time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury picked up in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.
James Justin will provide cover in the role but Leeds have lost the attacking outlet of Gudmundsson for Friday’s game against Burnley and probably the away clash at relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur nine days later.
There will be natural concerns about his fitness ahead of this summer’s World Cup but Leeds manager Farke has made clear that Gudmundsson will not be rushed back ahead of time, which may allay any concerns Potter may have.
Farke explained: “We always see the human being first and we’d never take risks or gamble. We are always careful. We always try to bring our players back as soon as possible. It’s not an ACL or whatever, it is a hamstring. We don’t want to do anything stupid.
“There is never a guarantee there will not be a new injury but we will just bring a player back once they are healed and settled. We don’t do anything stupid, especially with a muscle injury.
“But he also needs to be back as soon as possible. If it wasn’t for the World Cup and his chances to play back to play for Sweden… his chances are there because he has played so many good games for Leeds United.
“And meanwhile, he is also back as a regular starter again for Sweden. Last season he was sometimes on the bench for Lille. He himself is desperate to be back as quickly as possible. But we will do it once there is no concern. We won’t risk the health of a player.”
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