Ilia Gruev details Leeds injury progress after season-ending knee blow | OneFootball

Ilia Gruev says his knee rehabilitation is progressing after a season-ending setback, and the Leeds United midfielder is expected to report for pre-season next month.

The Bulgarian suffered a meniscus injury in training before April's 2-2 draw at Bournemouth. He missed the final six matches as Leeds secured Premier League safety, and sat out the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley.

It was his second serious knee issue at Leeds, after three months out during the 2024/25 title-winning campaign. Gruev said: "I'm feeling better and making progress. I'm currently in Sofia, Bulgaria, combining rehabilitation with time with my family. It's unfortunate that I got injured again, but it's part of the sport." He was speaking to Werder Bremen.

"It was a shame that I couldn't help the team in the last few games. But you have to keep going, keep pushing, keep working at it, and then it will get better. But of course, it's difficult for any athlete when they can't do what they love most."

The 26-year-old has also been named Bulgaria's Player of the Year for 2025, after three successive runner-up finishes behind Kiril Despodov.

Bulgaria did not qualify for the World Cup, so Gruev will watch from home. He said: "I could imagine Argentina winning the World Cup again. However, France also has an incredibly strong squad."

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk