Leeds United's Ilia Gruev declares 'the difficult part is over' after key step on comeback trail
Leeds United’s Ilia Gruev has discussed his recovery from injury after an outing at under-21 level
Leeds United midfielder Ilia Gruev has declared “the difficult part is over” after taking a key step in his injury rehabilitation.
The 26-year-old was sidelined with a knee problem in April and had a watching brief as the Whites battled over the line in their successful quest for Premier League survival.
He did not feature in any of Leeds’ pre-season games, nor has he seen action in any of their competitive fixtures this term.
However, the Bulgaria international returned to the pitch with an outing for Leeds’ under-21s yesterday (September 13).
He completed 85 minutes in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Middlesbrough, providing the assist for Freddie Lane’s 72nd-minute strike.
Ilia Gruev on recovery from injury
Post-match, Gruev told LUTV: “I really, really liked it. I really love to play football and to be able now to be back on the pitch after this injury it is the best thing for a footballer, to be healthy and to feel good. This is the case so, yeah, it is a really good feeling now to be back.
“I think it looks always a little bit easier when you see only how the player comes back but in terms of the rehab, it is a little bit a tough time sometimes.
“You work a lot alone, you stay hours and hours in a training ground because you have a goal to be as quick as possible.
“And unfortunately, these injuries belong to the business and it is tough but now the difficult part is over and I can do that what I love most.
“I missed this feeling a lot and I am quite optimistic that I am really back soon. So, yeah, I really look forward to this part of the season and to the whole season.”
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Academy outing
The involvement not only gave Gruev some crucial minutes, it allowed him to take a look at Leeds’ academy prospects up close.
He said: “I know a couple of them, of course, also from the first-team training and I know what they are capable of. I think we have some good players and I also liked today to play with them.”