Injuries have become the narrative around Adam Forshaw in the past three years and even the Leeds United midfielder admits he’s starting to sound like a broken record. However, a comeback against Elche tonight is hopefully the start of a new, curbed approach to training.
The 31-year-old sat out of his first training session for three weeks yesterday as he allowed his body a little more time to settle before the friendly tonight. A full-blooded approach to every aspect of his game has defined his career up to now, but with guidance from Jesse Marsch, he is trying to calm it down outside matches.
“I was speaking to Jesse about it yesterday and it’s something I’ve got to curb a little bit, especially in training,” he said. “Not in games, but, like yesterday, I just didn’t train for the day to save myself for tonight and I need people to tell me that because I would have trained.
READ MORE: Gyabi's Man City expectations surpassed at Leeds United with more than Adams
“Jesse thinks it’s a plus to my character, the way I am, but ultimately I want to play more games. That’s the nuts and bolts of it.”
Forshaw hasn’t played for the Whites since August 27 when he emerged as a substitute at Brighton & Hove Albion. Hernia surgery would eventually be confirmed by Marsch on October 7.
After spending two years out with a hip issue under Marcelo Bielsa before making an excellent comeback last season, Forshaw’s aware it’s one thing after another. The frustrating side for him is how innocuous the initial incidents are, like Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fall on him in Australia during the Crystal Palace friendly.
“I feel like a broken record at times,” he said. “It’s pretty simple for me now, I want to make sure I’m available more often. A lot of the injuries have been really unfortunate.
“I’ve had some longstanding hip issues and, again, hopefully they’re behind me, but some of them are just bad luck, running into big Robin Koch, Mateta for Palace in pre-season fell on me and I did my meniscus.
“I am that type of player where I do get into some collisions sometimes, but I wish it was less often sometimes.”
The Elche friendly caps off five days of good work on the training ground in Oliva Nova, where Forshaw has been front and centre for all but one day. He said: “I’ve managed to train all week.
“I trained last week, so since we’ve been back in I’ve been involved and feeling like I’m getting fitter and fitter. Hoping for some minutes again tonight.”
Sunday and Monday, the club’s first two days in camp, were by far the sternest examinations of the team’s fitness. The days leading up to the match have certainly seen a drop in intensity.
“It’s been tough,” said Forshaw. “It has been really tough. Off the top of my head, Monday was really hard. We did some tough runs after the training session.
“The lads have definitely felt it. The physios have been working hard, keeping us ready to train again and it’s been exactly what we needed.”
READ NEXT:
Dani van den Heuvel relives death-defying car crash, broken neck, Leeds United support to play again
Ayling defuses angry outburst, Koch precaution, Gyabi prank on Leeds United day four in Spain
'Maybe with me' Wilfried Gnonto shares Crysencio Summerville-Leeds United happiness theory
Leeds United still missing key ingredient in push to eradicate old Marcelo Bielsa habits
Wilfried Gnonto opens up on Jesse Marsch's 'not ready' Leeds United comments and proving him wrong
