Marcelo Bielsa admits only time will tell the success of Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw's hip surgery

ON THE MEND: Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw, pictured during August's 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Forshaw is recovering Stateside following an operation made in a bid to correct an ongoing hip problem that has troubled the midfielder throughout the current campaign.

The 28-year-old underwent surgery at the Steadman Clinic in Colorado last Thursday with the Whites player operated on by Dr Marc Philippon who is known as one of the world’s leading orthopaedic surgeons

Forshaw last played for Leeds in the 1-0 loss at Charlton Athletic on September 28 and the midfielder took to Instagram last week after his operation to declare that he was finally on the mend after the toughest time of his career.

Leeds had already confirmed that the surgery would rule the midfielder out for the remainder of the campaign and Bielsa said last Thursday that Forshaw would be facing a six-month process to return to fitness.

One week later, asked what he made of Forshaw’s recovery and if there had been any early signs or reports from America, Bielsa said: “To evaluate the result of the surgery we need the time to realise if it was good or not. We need time to make an opinion about this.”

United confirmed that Forshaw would be heading for surgery last Wednesday with Bielsa also asked about the situation at last Thursday’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s 1-0 win at home to Bristol City.

“It’s a six months in process for him,” said Bielsa.

“It is a medical detail I prefer the club to talk about because it’s not my speciality. All I can say is that our medical staff made everything to try to help the player and they gave everything to try to solve the situation.”

Forshaw took to Instagram last Friday to post: “Toughest time of my career but I’m confident I’m on the mend now. Thank you for all the messages. (I’m) confident I’ll see you all in the Premier League.”

Forshaw started United’s first six league games this season, playing the full duration of every match aside from being taken off as an 89th-minute substitute in the 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic.