Leeds United have been without Gaetano Berardi for several months due to injury and Phil Hay has discussed his return for the under-23s against Crystal Palace on Monday.

What Hay had to say about Berardi

Berardi was selected in the starting line up for the game and played 45 minutes. Phil Hay tweeted: "The player made his return to a football pitch as he played started for the u23's. Another step forward for Gaetano Berardi today. He’s in the U23s line-up at Crystal Palace."

Will he feature for Leeds?

It was his first appearance since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in July and therefore the player himself will surely be very happy that he got some minutes under his belt (Transfermarkt). The 32-year-old Swiss international is now close to getting a glimpse of the Premier League for the first time and, for someone who was key for the club before his injury, this is great to see.

Back when he was fully fit, Bielsa praised the defender, saying: "Berardi is a loyal player and he gives everything on the pitch. When you give everything on the pitch, the players can arrive late, but you have to analyse every red card. Maybe the red card today is different to another."

It will be good to have the right-back available for selection again in the near future as Leeds have had multiple injury issues this campaign, and so it is a boost for another defender to be nearing availability for first team selection.

However, it could be hard for the Swiss ace to get fully fit after such an injury and it is even harder for Berardi as he doesn't just need to get used to Bielsa's intense style again, he will also need to adapt to the quality and intensity of the Premier League.

He won't get straight back into the side, but it would nice to see him make some appearances for the club before the end of the season as his contract expires in the summer.

In other news, Phil Hay discussed one Leeds star and his current contract!