Absent against Middlesbrough, but Pablo Hernandez has quickly handed Leeds United and fans a major fitness boost going into the international break.
The 33-year-old was missing from Marcelo Bielsa’s teamsheet for the top-of-the-table clash and his absence was felt on the night, less than a week after his man-of-the-match performance at Norwich City.
After the match, Bielsa revealed the Spaniard could have played the match, but it would have risked aggravating the problem he had.
However, this afternoon Hernandez has taken to Instagram and uploaded an image of his football boots at Thorp Arch, United’s training ground, suggesting he was out on the grass with his team-mates today.
Asked what was wrong with Hernandez on Friday, Bielsa said: “He could have played, but we would have taken a risk to put him in the starting XI.
“He was tired from a muscular point of view. And we didn’t have enough time to ensure he wouldn't worsen.”