Dr Rajpal Brar has stated that Junior Firpo, a defender for Leeds United, will not require surgery after suffering a relapse to his hamstring.

After returning from injury for a few games, the Whites left-back has already sustained another injury that will keep him out of action for several months of the season.

It is a Grade 2 hamstring rupture, according to the injury expert, and won’t require surgery, even though he will be sidelined for a few weeks.

Physical therapy and sports scientist Brar had the following to say about Firpo, in an exclusive interview with MOT Leeds News:

“He will be out for a few weeks but it’s never unexpected to see a player pick up another injury – especially muscular – after returning from an extended absence as the body still needs time to adapt to in-game fitness demands.

“This sounds like a Grade 2 (out of 4) hamstring tear and surgery wouldn’t be required unless something drastic happens during rehab.”

Given his injury problems since moving to Elland Road, it is unclear what the Leeds management decides to do with Firpo in the end.

January may be the ideal time for the team to take advantage of his skills, given his performances have been lacking even when healthy.

Relocating back to La Liga, where he excelled when playing for Real Betis, could be alluring for him given his connections in Spain.

In a similar vein:

‘It would be Unbelievable’ – Leeds ace wants to be just like ex-Elland Rd favourite

Archie Gray shares Leeds United aspirations in ‘unbelievable’ James Milner comparison

After being asked to play a variety of positions for Leeds United this season, Archie Grey has replied by acknowledging that, although he would prefer to play in midfield, he recognises the value of flexibility.

He compared it to James Milner, a former player for Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester City, whose flexibility contributed to his longevity in the game. Grey said it would be impossible to attain Milner’s levels.

Grey, 17, is aware that Daniel Farke has been experimenting with him at right-back for a few games this season, but he also believes it will help him improve as a player.

“It’s good to learn different perspectives of the game,” Gray told The Guardian [8 December], “Playing right-back is allowing me to understand the game even more for when I go back into midfield. You see players like James Milner playing different positions every game.

“If I become anywhere near as good as him it would be unbelievable. I think my best position will be as a box-to-box midfielder but, as the game is changing, you have to be increasingly adaptable.”

Humble, confident and understanding

Grey has the demeanour of a person twice his age when he speaks, and at just 17 years old, he already understands his role as a professional model. Grey is a football player, so it would be simple to get drawn in by their ostentatious lifestyle, but he still wants to put in a lot of work.

It is a great sign for any young player to acknowledge the progress he can make in his career, be humble enough to acknowledge he still has a long way to go, and be open to trying new things. If he maintains this mindset, it will benefit him greatly in the future.

The comparison to James Milner is accurate, since Grey will need both his versatility and experience in the game, but at just 17 years old, he still has a lot of room to develop into a much more experienced player than he is right now.

Given his strong mindset and the amount of trust Farke has shown in him this season, Grey is clearly one of Elland Road’s most highly respected players and will likely continue to be so for some time to come.