Adam Forshaw hopes to feature for Leeds United in the Premier League this season

The 29-year-old last played for the Whites on September 28 2019, 496 days ago, a hip problem that required surgery keeping him sidelined as Marcelo Bielsa's men achieved promotion to the Premier League.

Forshaw has 35 top flight appearances to his name already, thanks to a single appearance for Everton and a spell with Middlesbrough, and harbours hopes of adding to them before the current season is over.

Bielsa was recently asked for an update on Forshaw and stated his belief that his midfielder would be able to return to match fitness quickly once the injury was behind him.

"He hasn't played for over a year now," said the head coach.

"And a medical decision taken recently admit us to think he will play again in the not too distant future. Forshaw is a professional who looks after his health very much, that's why I think that as soon as his injury problems are resolved he will be able to compete very quickly."

Speaking on the 'My Conversations with The Pope' podcast Forshaw welcomed Bielsa's backing, in a difficult period of his career, and revealed his hope of playing again this season.

"It's been hard for me," he said.

"The manager came out last week and said a couple of nice things, that because I do look after myself when I am back training it won't take me long to get up to speed. I'm hoping I can still play a part this season and put it all behind me."

Such a lengthy time out of the game has reiterated to Forshaw just what it means to him. And he's hopeful that he'll have plenty of time to enjoy his lifetime passion before his playing days are over and a different role beckons.

"It's been horrific," he said.

"I love my job, I go into work, I love going into the gym so I'm lucky, I love that side of it. You come home and you can't really think about it, you're just 100 miles an hour, in the garden with [my son] and you're just busy. I try and leave it at the door.

"It's my passion, it's all I want to do. Even when I'm finished playing I want to stay in football. You talk about being well paid and all that and maybe the exposure of playing in the Premier League, but I'd do anything to play football again. It's what you dream about when you're a kid. It makes you realise what makes you tick.

"Once I'm over this injury I'd like to think I've still got a good seven or eight years."