Archie Gray's latest Leeds United injury no laughing matter but teenage midfielder should be back soon
Although only 16 years-old the son of former Leeds striker Andy and grandson of defender Frank marked himself out at the start of pre-season as a player who could have a big first-team impact in 2022-23, with his coach Marsch saying as much.
As a result, Leeds resisted the temptation to loan him out for experience.
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Hide AdSince then things have been very stop-start and he is still to make his senior debut.
Gray was stretchered off with an ankle injury on the pre-season tour of Australia and held back by little illnesses and injuries since. His latest was a broken toe suffered not in training or an under-21 game but at home.
"Archie's injury was a really bizarre one," revealed Marsch. "I've heard a little bit conflicting stories from his mother and him but something where he ran into a door or something with his toe. It's something silly like this.
"I was ready to sort of joke around with him about it but the next day I saw him and he was in no joking mood. He was really upset.
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Hide Ad"He had no shoes on and he stubbed his toe, hit his big toe on the door, and it wound up putting a little fracture in one of the little joints or whatever.
"But it's not anything too severe, it's just keeps them out for a while.
"He's in a boot now but maybe we should double boot him!"
Gray's injury was expected to keep him out for around four weeks, but he is already a fortnight into his recovery.