Recovery from ankle surgery is ahead of schedule for Rodrigo, who is now hoping to be back in action for Leeds United before the international break. Original estimates from Elland Road suggested the April 1 clash with Arsenal could be his first opportunity to return, but Rodrigo has his eyes set on a March comeback.
The club’s top scorer was sent into the fray midway through the second half of last month’s victory at Accrington Stanley. Jesse Marsch said he used the opportunity to pair the Spain international with Patrick Bamford, but Rodrigo would come away with bone and ligament damage in his ankle.
The former Valencia forward would undergo minor surgery, but his recovery is surpassing expectations. He told LeedsLive: “Feeling much, much better.
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“Things are progressing better than I expected, to be honest. We are trying to shorten the recovery period.
“I'm happy for that. Injuries are always a frustrating moment for a football player, but I understand that's part of football as well. I'm trying to do everything I can to be back as soon as possible.”
The trip to Emirates Stadium will be the first clash after the international break for Leeds, but immediately preceding that there are meetings with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion. Rodrigo is crossing his fingers on keeping up the current rate of progression.
“I expect to be back before the international break,” he said. “When I got the injury, they said probably I will be back just after the international break, but things are progressing better than we always expected.
“I hope I can be available for the games before the international break, but let's see. We can’t confirm because it depends on my progression from now to the next two or three weeks, but if I keep this progression, I think I will be available before [the break].”
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