Kewell Could Be Back for Leeds Within Three Weeks
November 22, 2000 - 0:0
LEEDS, England Australia international forward Harry Kewell could be back in action for Leeds United within three weeks, Coach David O'Leary said.
Kewell, who has not played for the English Premier League club since the last game of last season following Achilles surgery, was not expected to return until the New Year.
But O'Leary believes the 22-year-old could feature in United's Champions League game against Lazio on December 6.
"The big problem is that Harry missed the whole of preseason and that is six weeks of training that sets you up for the season," O'Leary said.
"But the good news is that he started light training last week and he's gradually stepping up the workload.
"I'm hopeful that we'll have him back and ready to play inside the next three weeks." Kewell, last season's young Player of the Year, had a major role in Leeds' third-place finish last season, booking them into the Champions League qualifiers. In August, he dashed speculation of a move to a major European club by signing a new contract at Elland Road until 2004.
(Reuter)
Kewell, who has not played for the English Premier League club since the last game of last season following Achilles surgery, was not expected to return until the New Year.
But O'Leary believes the 22-year-old could feature in United's Champions League game against Lazio on December 6.
"The big problem is that Harry missed the whole of preseason and that is six weeks of training that sets you up for the season," O'Leary said.
"But the good news is that he started light training last week and he's gradually stepping up the workload.
"I'm hopeful that we'll have him back and ready to play inside the next three weeks." Kewell, last season's young Player of the Year, had a major role in Leeds' third-place finish last season, booking them into the Champions League qualifiers. In August, he dashed speculation of a move to a major European club by signing a new contract at Elland Road until 2004.
(Reuter)