Leeds United head coach Garry Monk has revealed that skipper Liam Bridcutt could be back sooner than six to eight weeks if he is a good healer, with the midfielder having been put on a strict recovery programme.
The 27-year-old, who has been suffering from a foot problem, was expected to return to action in the Championship fixture against Barnsley on Saturday.
However, it was revealed on Thursday that Bridcutt’s injury is far more serious than initially thought, with the Whites confirming that the midfield enforcer will be out for six to eight weeks with a fracture in his foot.
But Monk, whose side’s four-game winning run in all competitions came to a halt after losing 1-0 to Bristol City in the league on Tuesday, explained that there is a chance of Bridcutt returning to action sooner than the expected time frame.
“You just never know. You never know what type of healer they are”, the head coach said on LUTV.
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“If he's a good healer he could be even sooner [than after November’s international break].
“If not, it could be even longer.
“We'll have to see in the process, day by day, week by week.
“He's been given a very strict programme to follow to make sure we get him back out on the pitch as quick as possible.”
Bridcutt, who initially joined Leeds on a short-term loan deal from Sunderland in 2015 before deciding to extend his stay at Elland Road for the remainder of the season, was snapped up by the Whites permanently on a two-year contract in the summer.
He was also handed the captain's armband following Sol Bamba's exit.
