Ilia Gruev backs Leeds before FA Cup semi after knee injury | OneFootball

Ilia Gruev will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and has thrown his support behind Leeds United before Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley. Daniel Farke said the Bulgarian will be out until pre-season.

The midfielder has helped Leeds reach the 40-point mark in the Premier League and the semi-finals, playing in 23 league games and in cup wins over Derby County and West Ham United.

In a social media message, Gruev said he was devastated to miss out this weekend, would support from the sidelines, will focus on recovery and intends to come back stronger. He also wished his team-mates well and expressed confidence they would continue their incredible journey through the final games of the season.

He has made 86 appearances for the Whites and won a Championship title under Farke. Team-mates responded publicly, with Gabriel Gudmundsson predicting he would come back stronger, Illan Meslier calling him his brother, Pascal Struijk posting heart emojis and Anton Stach urging a strong return.

Leeds hope to have Stach back in the squad on Sunday, although by Thursday afternoon he had not returned to team training. Farke expected late fitness tests for Jayden Bogle and Sebastiaan Bornauw after midweek knocks. Bogle took a heavy challenge to his foot, while Bornauw rolled an ankle in the warm-up.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk