Leeds United star Taylor admits glandular fever scare

Taylor is preparing to rejoin Leeds’ first-team squad and reinvolve himself in the club’s season after recovering from the virus and receiving the all-clear ahead of the international break.

The 22-year-old was struck down after United’s 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City on October 3 and has missed six matches during his spell on the sidelines.

He is not expected to play any part against Rotherham United on Saturday but head coach Steve Evans hopes to involve Taylor in his squad for Leeds’ visit to QPR next weekend.

Taylor, who has been ever present this season before his illness, said : “After the tests came back I read up about the side-effects, as you do.

“The illness and fatigue can affect people for up to a year and that was a worry. So in a way I’m probably quite lucky to be back already and training as soon as this. That doesn’t mean it was nice though.

“It’s been frustrating for me. I’d played every game and then to get this and be bed-bound was horrible. I couldn’t really get out of my house. But the hard work starts now. I’m basically doing a mini pre-season to get fit and get back in the team.”

The left-back said he had first been taken ill following Leeds’ 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in September but tried to battle through the virus ahead of the clash with Birmingham.

“I’d played in every minute up to Birmingham and I wanted to carry on so I didn’t really mention the fatigue to anyone,” he said.

“Obviously I had no idea what was actually wrong but early on in the Birmingham game I went on a forward run and felt absolutely knackered. The tests came back and it was pretty much the worst possible outcome.”