On-loan Leeds United midfielder Ian Poveda is close to making his long-awaited return to competitive action. Poveda, who joined Blackburn Rovers in the summer, has not played since November, when he sustained a fracture and ligament damage to his ankle.
Current Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray confirmed the news that Poveda is likely to make the bench for Rovers' Monday night clash away at Preston North End. He said that: "Poveda looks fit to me, he looks electric on the training ground. There is a fair chance he will be on the bench."
This will not only boost Blackburn's play-off hopes, but will provide a welcome selection headache for Jesse Marsch, should Leeds remain in the Premier League for next season. Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan stated that: "He’ll be pushing for places in the Leeds side next season. This is a really important time for him to get back to maximum strength.
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""The new manager has come in, and that will provide him with a clean slate to play off. I’m sure Jesse Marsch will be excited to see him in action, but he needs to see him fully fit. We know he’s got the ability, the pace. Maybe this strength and conditioning time he has had will give him the extra physical nature he needs."
Leeds have at times a lacked a cutting edge this season, and have been blighted by their own injury troubles, and Poveda's return following his loan spell could be exactly what they need. Mowbray highlighted that: "Poveda has been training on our pitches in the last few days and it's pretty scary watching how talented he is. We have missed how brilliantly individual he can be.
"I think there was a period of time to adapt where he learned he didn't need to beat five, six men with the ball. He needed to pass the ball in the shape and it took him a while to integrate into our shape."
Although Poveda was not a regular starter under Marcelo Bielsa, with Jesse Marsch at the helm he may well to be a valuable asset for the Whites next season.
