Blackman returns to Chelsea for rehab on broken leg
Leeds United have confirmed that on loan goalkeeper Jamal Blackman will return to Chelsea after suffering a fractured tibia in Friday’s U23’s clash against Birmingham City.
Blackman was stretchered off during the closing stages of the 3-0 defeat at Thorp Arch, with people at the game claiming the Leeds stopper was ‘screaming in pain’.
I would like to thank the medical staff at both Thorp Arch and Leeds General Infirmary for the excellent way they dealt with the situation and also thank all the fans for their support and messages
— Jamal Blackman (@Big_Blacks) 16 November 2018
The 25-year-old joined Leeds in the Summer with many believing he would be Marcelo Bielsa’s first choice keeper for the upcoming campaign, but the Argentinian has preferred the option of academy graduate Bailey Peacock-Farrell, restricting Blackman to just two Carabao Cup appearances and a string of U23 games.
After last week’s 4-1 thrashing at the Hawthorns, Whites supporters were calling for Blackman to replace the inexperienced Peacock Farrell between the sticks, who has been liable to conceding soft goals this season.
However, Leeds now have just three academy goalkeepers Will Huffer, Kamil Miazek and Dimitar Sheytanov as an alternative to the Northern Ireland international, meaning director of football Victor Orta may have an unexpected task of finding a new number one in the January window.
In more positive news, another Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown made his long awaited return from a cruciate ligament injury with his first appearance in a white shirt, completing the first 45 minutes against the young Birmingham side.