Ilia Gruev: The Hard Part is Over, I Can Do What I Love Most Again

Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year, Ilia Gruev, has provided an update on his recovery from injury, marking a significant step towards his return to action with Leeds United. The Whites' midfielder declared that "the hard part is over" after featuring in an Under-21 match to regain match fitness.

The 26-year-old had been sidelined with a knee injury sustained in April, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as his teammates battled for Premier League survival.

He missed all of Leeds' pre-season friendlies and had yet to register any minutes in the team's official matches since the start of the current campaign.

Nevertheless, the Bulgarian international made his comeback yesterday, playing for the Leeds Under-21 squad. He remained on the pitch for 85 minutes in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Middlesbrough, even bagging an assist for Freddie Lane's goal in the 72nd minute.

Following the match, Gruev told Leeds' club television: "I really enjoyed it a lot. I love playing football, and the opportunity to return to the pitch after this injury is the best thing for a footballer – to be healthy and feel good.

I think it always looks a bit easier when you only see the player returning, but in terms of rehabilitation, it's sometimes a tough period. You work a lot by yourself, spending hours at the training ground because you have a goal to return as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, these injuries are part of the business, and it's hard, but now the difficult part is over, and I can do what I love most.

I really missed that feeling, and I'm quite optimistic that I'll be fully back soon. So, yes, I'm really looking forward to this part of the season and the entire season."

His participation in the match not only provided Gruev with valuable playing minutes but also allowed him to observe the young talents in the Leeds academy up close.

He commented: "I know some of them, of course, from training with the first team, and I know what they are capable of. I think we have good players, and I also enjoyed playing with them today."