Ex-BBC pundit turned Leeds United ambassador Noel Whelan has backed defender Stuart Dallas to make a return from his serious injury sooner rather than later.

The Lowdown: Dallas out for the foreseeable

The 31-year-old’s season came to a premature end after a horrific leg injury in the Whites’ 4-0 defeat against Manchester City back in April, and he has since undergone surgery.

Despite a successful operation though, there are still plenty of fears surrounding the player's future after a Leeds source revealed to Football Insider just last week that the Northern Irishman could miss the entirety of next season as a result of a femoral fracture.

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The Latest: Whelan backs early return

Whelan admitted that whilst Dallas is set to face plenty of challenges throughout his rehabilitation period, but he is urging the 56-cap international to surprise medics with his recovery and even suspects he is already back in the dressing room.

He told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Any long-term injury is a challenge, more so mentally and emotionally as well. You want to be taking part out there with the lads, fighting with them out on the field, especially with the predicament we’re in.

“It’s something out the blue for Stuart, he’s never really gone through a long-term injury before.

“I’m sure he’ll be in the changing room trying to give his opinions and gee the lads on. That’s fantastic but look, it is demoralising when you get a really long injury. Any injury is hard to take. Whether it’s a hamstring, a tear, a small fracture. Long term, it can take its toll on you mentally.

“But the good thing is that we’re near the end of the season. It gives him that six to eight weeks to kind of get his rehab under his belt. He’s had the operation, it’s now a healing process.

“At the end of the season, it’s nice to be away from the club so you can put your feet up, you can go on holiday. Yes, you’re injured but I think getting away from football at times is not a bad thing when you have a long-term injury, just to clear your mind.”

“Reflect, get your head into a good place and know that you’re gonna be working very hard to get back fitter and stronger like he says. There’s no doubt about it, he will. He’s one of these people that is very honest, he will put the hard work in, the graft.

“Knowing Stuart Dallas he will probably be back sooner rather than later because of that determination that he has in his mind.”

The Verdict: Focusing on the future

The £53k-per-week star having to miss the final three games of the season will come as a huge blow to Jesse Marsch, who will know just how much of an instrumental part Dallas plays in his starting XI.

Prior to picking up his injury, the 5 foot 9 colossus was averaging 2.7 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, and 1.4 dribbles per top-flight game, via WhoScored, showing that he can be effective both defensively and offensively going forward in that wing-back role.

Dallas, who was once dubbed as an “outstanding” player by BBC pundit Alan Shearer, will no doubt be absolutely gutted that he won’t be able to play any further part in trying to help the Whites maintain their Premier League status, but the most important thing for him now is to focus on his recovery so that he can be back fighting fit on that Elland Road pitch again as soon as possible.

In other news… a talkSPORT pundit has claimed that one Leeds ace appears to be ‘losing his head’.