Jesse Marsch has issued a positive injury update on Archie Gray after the 16-year-old was stretchered off in Leeds United’s friendly defeat to Aston Villa, suggesting that they are hopeful that he has not suffered a break – in comments reported by Leeds Live.
Gray’s injury overshadowed what proved to be an intriguing game between the two Premier League sides in Australia. The teenager was left in some pain after a nasty-looking challenge from John McGinn.
It certainly proved to be a feisty game with both sides not afraid to get stuck in. However, it definitely appeared that Villa were determined to leave a little more in their challenges. And the referee did little to help either side with a really poor performance.
McGinn seemed to go too far in his clash with Gray. The Scotland international went over the top and appeared to come down on the youngster’s ankle.
Gray had to be stretchered off with his leg in a brace. McGinn expressed some remorse after the challenge, for which he was booked. Meanwhile, there was also some comforting words from Steven Gerrard for Gray as he left the field.
But clearly, Marsch was not at all happy. But following the game, the Leeds boss suggested that he is more optimistic about how serious the injury is.
“We’re hopeful that it’s not too bad. He was in some pain initialy but we’re hopeful nothing is broken. Hopefully it’s an ankle sprain and we’ll see the severity of it in the next couple of days,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live.
Archie Gray injury overshadows promising Leeds display
Leeds ultimately lost the game, with Villa scoring a penalty. But there were some promising signs for the Whites.
The Villans had the better of the first-half. But Leeds definitely had their moments and will probably feel that they should have at least scored once.
Marsch’s update on Gray is encouraging. He has not looked out of place at all in pre-season. And it certainly seems that he has a role to play in the first-team during the coming campaign.