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Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has shared a serious injury concern on young goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel, as reported by Phil Hay.
The Lowdown: Van den Heuvel at Leeds
Van den Heuvel made the move to Elland Road back in 2020 from Ajax following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
The 19-year-old signed a new deal with the Whites last year through to 2024 and has made 22 appearances at youth level.
The youngster won the Premier League Youth ‘Save of the Year’ award last season following his brilliant stop at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, however, it looks as if he won’t be featuring in the near future.
The Latest: Hay’s post
Leeds correspondent Phil Hay was at Thorp Arch on Thursday for Marsch’s first pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s opener with Wolves.
Hay posted on Twitter that Van den Heuvel ‘is recovering from a bad neck injury suffered in a road traffic accident in Holland, while he was away with the Netherlands’ youth set-up’.
The goalkeeper damaged vertebrae, with the concern more about his health over his fitness in a football sense.
The Verdict: Speedy recovery
Van den Heuvel is now back in the gym and is showing ‘really good progress’, which is a hugely positive step following what appears to have been a traumatic experience over the summer.
Where will Leeds finish this season?
Top half
11th-14th
15th-17th
Bottom three
Hopefully, he’ll be back on the pitch in good time and will continue his development at Thorp Arch. Leeds clearly think highly of the Dutchman after handing him a new deal last year, so fingers crossed he’ll continue to impress when he returns and challenge Kristoffer Klaesson in the U21s.
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