Heartbreak as serious injury scuppers player's big chance in Leeds United v Harrogate Town FA Cup clash

An ex-Leeds United player will be prevented from facing his former team in the FA Cup due to a serious injury.

Midfielder Josh Falkingham was born in Rothwell and joined his hometown club’s Academy when he was seven years old.

Falkingham then spent over a decade on United’s books until leaving the club aged 19 after his release from the Whites.

The Leeds-born footballer then signed for St Johnstone, before moves to Arbroath, Dunfermline Athletic, Darlington and most recently Harrogate Town in May 2017.

Falkingham is now Town’s captain but the 34-year-old will not be involved in Saturday’s FA Cup tie having suffered a serious lower leg injury in December’s 3-0 defeat at home to AFC Wimbledon.

The midfielder is expected to be facing 12 weeks out.

Speaking at the time of the injury, boss Simon Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser: “Falks is not in a good way and he’s going to have to have surgery on his lower leg.

"He’s got three injuries in one from that incident. It’s complicated. It’s a lower shin injury, there’s a fragment of bone chipped off the tibia, I think it is, and it’s left an unstable joint there. It needs surgery to enable him to have proper stability.

"He will be out for 12 weeks and it is a huge blow for us as a team, and for him personally.”