---
title: "Leeds United: Phil Hay hints at potential Gaetano Berardi return date"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-phil-hay-hints-at-potential-gaetano-berardi-return-date/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-03-02T17:40:03Z"
modified: "2021-03-02T17:40:03Z"
---

# Leeds United: Phil Hay hints at potential Gaetano Berardi return date

**Leeds United have been without Gaetano Berardi for several months due to [injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gaetano-berardi/verletzungen/spieler/43084) and Phil Hay has discussed when he could be likely to return.**

### Phil Hay reveals potential Berardi return

The Athletic journalist was discussing Berardi’s first team return after he made his [first start](https://twitter.com/PhilHay_/status/1366369839451938821?s=20) for the under-23s on Monday and [said:](https://twitter.com/PhilHay_/status/1366372859598274567?s=20) “My mayhem radar is saying Berardi v Foden, April 10.”

### Berardi could find it tricky to come back

It will be good to have the right-back available for selection again in the near future as Leeds have had multiple [injury issues](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-injury-list-villa-19450618) this season, and so it is a boost for another defender to be nearing availability for first team selection. However, you can see why Hay is perhaps a little tentative on the mooted return date as the 32-year-old has not played a professional game since July ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gaetano-berardi/profil/spieler/43084)). Clearly Marcelo Bielsa does rate him, howerver, as he has previously [said:](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-red-card-leeds-17036988) “Berardi is a loyal player and he gives everything on the pitch.”

To come up against a [rampant Manchester City](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manchester-city/spielplandatum/verein/281) is hard for any player, let alone one returning from long-term injury, so despite it being very unlikely that Bielsa will utilise him against the Premier League leaders, it is at least encouraging to hear a mid-April return date being hinted at by Hay.

With the right-back playing for Leeds’ under-23s, it would be good to use him in the academy side for a few weeks until he gets back to full fitness and Bielsa can reassess him then.

***In other news, Phil Hay*** [***discussed one Leeds star and his current contract!***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-united-phil-hay-discusses-raphinhas-contract/)