Injured Leeds United man reveals root cause of latest problem and frustration at 'take it easy' instruction

The 27-year-old is currently spending time on the sidelines for the second time this season after suffering a hamstring injury with manager Daniel Farke prescribing a couple weeks rest from first-team action. Firpo missed the bulk of Leeds' start to the season with a separate issue, similar to last campaign when he sustained an injury towards the end of pre-season.

As a result, the Dominican Republic-born defender has lost his place in the team to free agent summer signing Sam Byram who has proven to be a safe pair of hands at left-back and has largely managed to remain fit despite reservations over his own injury history.

Speaking to the Spanish press in a new interview, Firpo has discussed what he believes to be the reason for his repeated injury problems, as well as the advice given to him by the club's medical team.

"You learn how to manage an injury, the hard way," Firpo says. "I'm very competitive, but in recent times it's been bad for me. I've had injury problems and I haven't known how to manage my comeback. Every time I come back they tell me: 'take it easy, take it easy, don't force yourself.'

"But of course, they make me play reduced [intensity] matches in training, I want to win, I go 100% and I get hurt.

"In England the pace is very high. The game doesn't allow you to play with fear because they're always sending balls in behind and you can't think about sprinting at 80%. Either you go 100% or they score a goal," he added.

Firpo admits not playing is a concern of his, but believes once he is back to peak fitness, his footballing ability will be able to convince Farke he deserves a shot at redemption in the starting XI.

"I'm worried about not being able to play, that is, being injured. It's the coach's decision whether or not to put you in or not, but the goal is always to be available. If you achieve that, the rest are footballing qualities and I think I have them. The only problem is that injuries don't allow me to do that. The fear of injury disappears as soon as you get on the pitch."