New Leeds blow as Becchio out for start of season

The Argentinian player has ruptured a tendon in his leg, United revealed yesterday. A decision on his condition was expected today.

The news is a further blow to Becchio, who underwent surgery on a hamstring problem towards the end of last season, ruling him out of the Championship run-in. Leeds hoped a summer of rest would allow him to regain full fitness.

The setback is also a blow to manager Simon Grayson, less than a week after striker Davide Somma was ruled out for up to six months with knee ligament damage.

Becchio scored 20 goals for United last season, but has missed all three pre-season friendlies to date.

Grayson said: “There’s still a question mark over what we’re going to do with Luciano.

“He had a hamstring injury last season which turned out to be a ruptured tendon. We gave it the opportunity to calm down over the summer but he’s had a recurrence.

“We now have to decide whether to give him more rest or send him for another operation. I’ll know in the next day or so but he’s going to be touch and go for the start of the season and in danger of missing it.”