21-year-old now spotted back in Leeds training after injury, could feature against West Brom

Sam Greenwood has shared an image of himself back in Leeds United training ahead of Friday’s clash with West Bromwich Albion.

Greenwood posted the photo onto his Instagram story on Tuesday afternoon, as he closes in on a return to first team action.

Sam Greenwood's love affair with football told by those who know him best - Leeds Live

The 21-year-old has been absent since Leeds’ first friendly of pre-season against Manchester United at the beginning of July, with the nature of his injury having been unclear.

That said, Greenwood has been pictured walking around in a protective boot, which would indicate he has been suffering with some sort of knee or foot injury.

Daniel Farke confirmed at the end of last week ahead of the trip to Birmingham City he had returned to training, but due to how long he had been out, did not feature at all at St Andrews.

Greenwood pictured back in training ahead of Leeds vs West Brom

However, with another week of training under his belt, he is now expected to be in the squad against West Brom in what is a boost to Farke.

Leeds’ squad has been hampered both by injuries, as well as Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra’s refusal to play as they seek moves elsewhere.

As such, Leeds were only able to name eight substitutes for the trip to the West Midlands last week, two of which were goalkeepers.

While Greenwood hasn’t exactly set pulses racing since his breakthrough into the first team, it is another body for Farke to have at his disposal, which is desperately needed given the lack of signings.

Greenwood will provide extra competition for that advanced midfield area, which was short of any cutting edge and creativity last weekend.

The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on the newspaper’s website on 15 August that the Whites are “aware” of “continued interest” from Salernitana being reported in Italy, but a “move is not considered to be imminent” for the 19-year-old who has started two out of the three games so far this season under Daniel Farke.

Norwegian Hjelde, who spent the second half of season on loan with Rotherham United, is currently “battling it out” with Sam Byram at left-back, with the returning former academy product given the start in the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham (12 August) as yet another exit-linked player, Junior Firpo, is again out injured.

Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio had reported via his website on 14 August that Hjelde and Salernitana were “very close” and the Serie A side wanted to close a deal “soon”.

With Farke on the brink of losing players left, right, and centre at the moment it will come as some relief that Hjelde joins Willy Gnonto as one of the few that the club have the power to

Unlike the Italian attacker, who has now missed two games as he seeks a move away, there isn’t an indication that the defender is minded to do the same currently.

And while Byram’s cheap addition has proven very useful so far, and the 29-year-old may be slightly ahead in the left-back rotation already, neither are specialist left-backs and the position is, as ever, a potential issue.

Leeds United can’t afford to lose an option there right now, with even Firpo’s return from injury unlikely to inspire great confidence.

Farke came within hours of adding another new full-back in Max Aarons only to be hijacked by Bournemouth when he had already arrived at Thorp Arch, but he, like Byram, is primarily a right-back.

Pascal Struijk filled in on the left for much of last season under Jesse Marsch and was serviceable but unless the club can land a new starter going forward they can ill afford to let one of the current stand-ins walk unless a very attractive offer is put on the table.