Leeds United: Evergreen goalkeeper on brink of major milestone

Former England international Green will reach the milestone when again donning the no1 Leeds jersey against former club Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road on Saturday, an outing that will be the shotstopper’s 38th appearance for the Whites.

And Monk can see little sign of Green hanging up his gloves any time soon, with the goalkeeper now at his fourth club as a professional following long spells with first club Norwich City, West Ham United and latterly Saturday’s visitors QPR – whom Green joined Leeds from on a one-year-deal last summer.

“I think it’s a massive achievement,” said Monk.

“Credit to him, I think that just highlights the professional that he is.

“Yes, you need a little bit of luck along the way with injuries and suspensions to be able to accumulate that total of appearances but he’s had a fantastic career and he is still going strong.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, the number-one reason he came here is because he’s a good goalkeeper and still is.

“And I thought on top of that he would bring great experience, lend that experience to this group, help the other goalkeepers, Marco (Silvestri) and young Bailey (Peacock-Farrell), and give good competition.

“That side of it – with goalkeeper coach Darryl Flahavan – that area of our squad has been brilliant this season. All the keepers have been really competitive and training really well and they have all improved.

“Going back to 600 appearances, I think that’s an amazing achievement and it’s something that he and his family will be very proud of.

“But knowing Rob how I do, I think his main focus will be on trying to win this game for his team and his team-mates.”