'After Christmas' - Leeds United coach provides injury update for exciting youngster

Leeds bowed out of the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday evening, losing a rather redundant penalty shootout to Crewe Alexandra after drawing 0-0 in normal time at Gresty Road. United were without Archie Gray for the sixth successive game after Jesse Marsch revealed earlier this season the youngster would be spending a period on the sidelines with a fractured toe.

Speaking after his side’s elimination, Under-21s’ lead coach Michael Skubala said of the 16-year-old midfielder: “[He’s] not too far. I think not too far. You know he's a young lad, so we’ve just got to get that right, he won't be too far [off].

"I don't think he’ll make the last game but then he's got the [World Cup] window to really get back into things and hit the ground running after Christmas,” Skubala said.

Gray initially sustained a toe injury whilst at home back in September but the issue is not thought to be serious. Nevertheless, Skubala’s admission suggests he will not be available for next Monday’s Premier League 2 encounter with Newcastle United at Thorp Arch.

Leeds’ ninth league fixture of the 2022/23 season will be their last until the second week of January, as domestic football breaks for the World Cup in Qatar.