Daniel Farke has provided an injury update on Georginio Rutter ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Watford on Good Friday.
Rutter was forced to pull out of France’s U21s squad over the international break in order to undergo minor surgery on a hernia, an issue that has been plaguing him over the last few weeks.
The 21-year-old shared an update of his own via Instagram from his hospital bed last week, with Leeds fans anxious to know whether he will be fit in time for the resumption of the Championship season.
Leeds’ initial timeline for his recovery was set at 10 days, which would put him touch and go as to whether he would be available at Watford, with Rutter having produced his best performance in a white shirt in the return fixture.
That said, under his own admission, Rutter has not been at his best lately, but the hope is this surgery will allow him to once again play without any pain.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference for the first time since Rutter’s surgery, Farke has shared a more accurate update on the Frenchman’s fitness and whether he will be fit in time for Friday.
Farke provides injury update on Rutter ahead of Leeds vs Watford
He said: “We have the time to give the surgery for Georginio Rutter and because in the last weeks during the international break, he was terrific but played with pain.
“He was still there with many crucial moments but then it’s also quite normal you can transport an injury for a few weeks but not for months because at some point you will pay the price. He is on the road back, he was already involved in parts of team training. That was definitely a positive thing.”
This is brilliant news for Leeds and shows that sending him for surgery was the correct decision, as it could enable him to return for the run-in with 100 per cent fitness.
Rutter currently leads the entire division for assists this season with 15 and losing him for any game would be a massive blow, as there is no one else in the squad who can do what he does.
Hopefully in the next 48 hours Rutter will have fully recovered enough to start in what would be a big boost for Farke.