Leeds United youngster reveals long-awaited Thorp Arch return after months away from training

The goalkeeper suffered fractures in his neck and jaw after the accident, which happened when he was on international duty with Holland Under 19s, although it did not come to light until August when head coach Jesse Marsch issued an update on his condition.

"He had a car accident with the under-20s in Holland,” said the American.

“There was a pretty severe neck injury and he broke some vertebrae. We were really worried about him, not even as a football injury but as a life situation but he’s showing really good progress and he’s back in the gym.

“We’ll be ramping him up over time but it’s probably a couple of months before he’ll be eligible to be training and be ready to go.”

Almost three months later, the 19-year-old has posted footage on social media showing him back involved with Marcos Abad’s goalkeeping sessions at Thorp Arch alongside first choice stopper Illan Meslier and backups Joel Robles and Kristoffer Klaesson. Van den Heuvel can be seen hurling himself through the air at shots and crosses, apparently now free of the severe injuries that have cost him months of action.

Leeds signed van den Heuvel in August 2020 after he spent three years with Eredivisie side Ajax. Then 17, he penned a three-year deal at Elland Road that is due to run until the summer of 2023.

Now that he’s nearing full fitness Van den Heuvel will be expected to compete with Klaesson and Harry Christy for a spot between the posts with Michael Skubala’s Under 21s Premier League 2 outfit.

The 21s are back in action on Tuesday night at Crewe Alexandra in their final Papa John’s Trophy group stage game.