Stuart Dallas’ 16-month journey after his horrific accident is exposed as the Leeds United player takes the ‘next step’
Stuart Dallas has taken another step forward in his rehabilitation from a long-term injury, and Leeds United’s Head of Medicine and Performance Rob Price has provided an update on his progress.
Rob Price, Leeds United’s Head of Medicine and Performance, has presented a thorough account of Stuart Dallas’ journey since the unexpected accident that has kept him out for the past 16 months. In a clash with Jack Grealish during the Whites’ crushing home defeat to Manchester City in April 2022, the Whites’ promotion hero shattered his femur.
Dallas has not played for the club since, despite the Whites being relegated and having three managers in the meantime. The Northern Ireland international has taken the ‘next step’ in his rehabilitation by rejoining his teammates in training, albeit the 32-year-old is unlikely to make a competitive return anytime soon.
Due to the absence of frequent information on Dallas’ recuperation and the nature of the injury, unsubstantiated rumors about the player perhaps retiring have emerged. Price has disregarded these ‘annoying’ proposals while providing an intriguing look into Dallas’ path since that terrible day.
“I don’t think anyone has dealt with the injury Stu had before,” he said on the Official Leeds United Podcast. I spoke with Stu earlier today and asked him how much he wanted me to say about it, because we’d been quite quiet about it.
“We released the fundamentals and continued with the rehabilitation.” I believe he has reached this point, and we must emphasize that this is still part of his recovery; joining the training group does not imply that he is available for selection to the team.
“We still need to increase the volume of training.” This is the first time he’s been surrounded by other players, and it’s a different intensity, a different feel, and you’ve got other perspectives going on around you, so it’s still a part of the process.
“Looking back to that day, he and Jack Grealish just had a clash of knees and we knew it was really significant because it’s the first time I’ve seen Stuart Dallas stay on the floor with anything.” He’s undoubtedly one of the hardest players we’ve ever seen; he suffered a foot fracture a couple of years ago and missed two days.
“He’s that type of player, and he’s got the ability to block out pain and keep going, which is probably why he played so many consecutive games under Marcelo [Bielsa].” We realized it was severe, so we rushed him back into the locker room and informed him, “We think you’ve fractured just around your knee.”
Following x-rays at Leeds General Infirmary, United’s medical staff’s suspicions were quickly verified, and a seven-and-a-half hour operation in London ensued. Even at this point, Dallas and Price were aware that the rehabilitation may take up to two years, and an infection in his knee around Christmas last year impacted their original timetable.
“We knew at some point, some of the screws in there to hold the fracture together would have to be taken out,” Price added. So we went ahead and performed that, and then shortly after Christmas, he had an infection in his knee, which is not unusual after extensive surgery.
“That just pushes back your return date a little bit; it’s not a setback or anything else.” It’s simply one of those things that occurs, so we couldn’t move him forward too much in January, February, and March.
“He’s made steady progress, and I have to give a lot of credit to the staff who have worked with him closely.” It’s still part of the process, and he has a long way to go.”
Following a poor start to life in the Championship, Daniel Farke’s team has won two of their previous three matches, and Dallas will no doubt be eager to help their promotion campaign sooner rather than later. Although it will be months before the full-back is considered for selection, the newest milestone in his recuperation was welcomed inside the team.
“All of the players on recovery went out and gave him a little slap on the back as he was running out to train,” Price explained, “because he’s one of the biggest characters and nicest guys within the squad that everyone respects and loves.” So seeing him out on the field today was a nice sign, but I don’t believe anyone will be satisfied until he’s called to one of the teams.”
