Leeds United target Kyle Bartley suffers knee injury

Bartley, who Leeds want to bring back to Elland Road this summer, is set to miss the rest of the Premier League season with a second knee problem sustained in eight months.

The centre-back sat out most of the first half of the campaign having undergone surgery on damaged ligaments in August, a few weeks after signing a new four-year contract at the Liberty Stadium.

Bartley made a comeback in January but his latest setback could hamper United’s plans to sign him in the forthcoming transfer window. Swansea are yet to confirm the full extent of the injury or to comment on whether the centre-back will need another operation.

Speaking this morning, Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal said: “Kyle Bartley is more serious. He did a stretch in the ligaments and felt pain. We will see day by day.”

Leeds have already held talks with Swansea over a summer deal for Bartley, a player who spent the whole of the 2016-17 season on loan at Elland Road and impressed throughout his time with United.

The 26-year-old will be surplus to requirements if Swansea retain their Premier League status, despite receiving a new long-term deal earlier in the campaign, and Leeds have installed him as a top target on the back of a poor Championship term.