Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills admits the length of Rodrigo's injury absence is worrying, as Marcelo Bielsa prepares to welcome him back possibly as a substitute this weekend (via Yorkshire Evening Post).

The Spaniard has endured a disappointing first season at Elland Road, having arrived as the club's most expensive signing in history last summer, joining for £27million from Valencia.

Big things were expected of the 30-year-old, but instead, he has scored just three goals in 23 appearances, also finding himself injury-plagued.

Rodrigo hasn't started a game for Leeds since January because of a groin issue, with his last cameo coming against Sheffield United, and Mills is concerned about the nature of the ongoing issue.

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Mills provides worrying Rodrigo injury verdict

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills admits it is hard to predict exactly how much the striker could struggle fitness-wise, ahead of his possible return on Saturday:

"The problem with injuries is every single one is different, every different player is different.

"Then you get compensations within your body that affect other things and sometimes it can just be a long, slow process.

"We all want to know ‘When is he going to be back? When is he going to be back?’ and sometimes you have to just say ‘Don’t know is the answer.’

"People don’t like that but it’s literally how long is a piece of string sometimes? It can be two or three weeks if it’s minor. If it’s really bad it can be five or six months.

"It’s so subjective with the way people react to treatment and recovery. It’s a tough one, it’s really difficult to say."

Transfer Tavern take

There is no denying that Rodrigo has been a flop at Leeds to date, with injuries certainly playing a key part in his struggles in England.

He has been linked with a return to Spain the summer transfer window, but the hope is that he stays put for another season, at least.

Rodrigo has scored eight goals in 25 caps for Spain, highlighting his pedigree, so it would be a shame to him leave after just one year at Leeds. Assuming he can rid himself of these injury issues, one would hope he can kick on and find the type of form he has for previous clubs at Elland Road.

In other news, a pundit has taken a needless swipe at Leeds on social media - find out who it is here.