Leeds United have been handed a major update on Adam Forshaw and his future at Elland Road.

What's the story?

The midfielder has endured a difficult spell at Marcelo Bielsa's side for well over a year now, with injuries seeing him miss the entire Premier League season - in fact, his only appearance came at Premier League 2 level when he was given a run-out against Villa's U23s back in mid-April.

And now, responding to a question about where things stand with the 29-year-old, Leeds Live's Beren Cross said: "No word on Forshaw since he suffered that issue Bielsa mentioned in the days after the under-23s win over Villa. Fingers are crossed for him. Pre-season is huge for him if he can keep pace with the others coming back to start the new programme."

Bielsa needs him

Speaking towards the end of last season, Bielsa himself said: "He has basically been not playing for two seasons and to be able to play 90 minutes at a high competition after being healthy - there is still a while to go before you're ready for that.

"He's healthy, and has two months left of the season to prove that he is finally over his issues. We all hope it will be like this, because he is a very important player and he has made a massive effort to overcome the situation that he's been through."

And, after his display against Villa, Cross noted: "Playing in the role fans will associate with Stuart Dallas or Mateusz Klich in the first team, Forshaw had the freedom to get forward as well as defend.

"It was a polished performance with an array of long and short-range passing, as well as some crunching tackles and one memorable 50-50 he did not shirk, which underlines the confidence he has with his body."

Given the fact Leeds don't have natural cover for Kalvin Phillips, and a new central midfielder still having yet to be signed, Forshaw's comeback from injury is a timely one.

Bielsa needs a player with his experience to return to the first-team squad and offer him another vital option in the middle of the park, and Cross' update on him should have Leeds fans paying close attention to how things pan out with Forshaw.

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