Watmore close to senior return

Simon Grayson will be guided by his medical staff as Duncan Watmore edges closer to a first team return.

The popular forward is not expected to be in a position to start a game until after the upcoming international break, but has made a successful return to U23 action.

After scoring on his comeback aga i nst Manchester City, Watmore completed 70 promising minutes against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, watched by an impressed Black Cats boss.

Grayson continues to urge caution but has not ruled out him returning to the squad this week.

He said: “I’d like to [have him back]! I’d have liked to have done so last Saturday, and before that.

“I’ve got a meeting this afternoon and that will be one of the things we discuss.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.

“He played yesterday, did well and looked a threat, and showed everybody what he is capable of doing,” he added.

“It would be nice to have him back, but we have to be careful with his livelihood rather than think shortterm about the next two games.

“But if I am given the allclear, I will certainly take that invitation to have him back in the squad.”

Evenifhedidreturn,Watmore would be used sparingly but Grayson admitted the sight of the youngster back in the matchday 18 would be a massive boost for everyone connected to the club.

He said: “There’s a possibility of that, definitely.

“He is an infectious character in the dressing room, and also when the fans see such a popular and important player back in the squad it can have a big effect on everybody.

“I’d love to have him back Tuesday-Saturday, but we’ll wait and see.” Grayson also hopes he w illb e able to call on a greater range of attacking options for the trip to Portman Road on Tuesday night.

Aiden McGeady came o ff the bench against Cardiff City as he returned for a hamstring injury, while Callum McManaman and Jonny Williams were last-minute absentees through injury and illness respectively.

Billy Jones was also ruled out shortly before kick-off and Grayson hopes the trio will be available.

He said: “Williams and McManaman were making progress yesterday. “Jonny we have to be careful with because he fell ill on Thursday night and hasn’t done any work since then. “Callum is making progress, and Billy Jones is as well.”

Leeds head coach Thomas Christiansen has played down his side’s automatic promotion chances before tonight’s clash at high-flying rivals Cardiff.

Christiansen said: “I don’t look further than one or two games, so I cannot imagine myself in that situation. It would be nice of course.

“We all have our dreams to fulfil and we all work on trying to achieve that.”