Stuart Dallas acknowledges that he has “big decisions to make” because his contract is about to expire, but he still wants to play for Leeds United again.
After breaking his leg while playing against Manchester City in April 2022, the long-injured Whites favorite told BBC Sport NI on March 26, as his team defeated Scotland 1-0, that the personnel at Thorp Arch had been “phenomenal” in helping him during his nearly two years off.
Even though he is “putting everything into” returning before the season ends, he seems to be aware that his career may already be nearing its end.
“I’m very, very fortunate that I’ve had the career that I have,” he declared. I’m not thinking about that right now, but if that ends, we’ll handle it when the time comes.
“I’ve undoubtedly experienced a lot of setbacks, but Leeds has the best staff around.” The club has been excellent in working with me; the medical, fitness, and rehabilitation instructors are exceptional. There are no better hands for me.
“The medical staff has shown me incredible care.” I have complete faith in them. That’s what I had to do right away. We’re trying to try to get back together since they trusted me. I’m giving it everything I’ve got in the final few weeks before the season ends.
Big judgments must constantly be made. Even though my contract expires at the end of the year, one thing is certain: I won’t give up and I will never abandon my nation.
“I would prefer to continue if that is what it takes to do so. That would be the goal, but we’ll see where it takes us as we proceed day by day.
Could a coaching position at Leeds United be in the works?
It can’t help but be a stretch given the circumstances that Whites supporters would love to see Dallas return to action for the first team, as he was such an important presence in numerous positions previous to his tragic injury.
It might take him some time to recover from such an extended layoff, but if the German can win the title or automatic promotion before the last day, it would undoubtedly increase his chances of playing for Daniel Farke before the summer. This will relieve some of the burden.
That appears to be easier said than done, though, as Leeds United’s incredible run in 2024 is still not enough to put them ahead of Leicester on goal differential heading into the weekend, with the Foxes still having a game to play and Ipswich only one point behind.
This season, Farke has showed little tolerance for nostalgia, as Dallas’s longtime friend Luke Ayling was gradually dropped from the starting lineup and eventually left for Middlesbrough on
When the full-back’s contract expires in the summer, there won’t be an extension granted, and captain Liam Cooper, 32, will probably have little chance of receiving one either after playing only two minutes in the Championship since New Year’s Day.
While Phil Hay has indicated that Dallas will likely follow suit, his circumstances are probably a little different because his lengthy and difficult rehabilitation would make it much harder to let him go, but it sounds like he realizes the door may be shutting on his Whites career as well.
He may be able to continue with the team in a non-playing capacity because he has always been regarded as an important presence both on and off the field. However, since he is obviously keen to finish his injury recovery, a short-term extension as a player-coach may be possible in the first place.
In other Leeds United news, if they want to add a new attacking threat this summer, they might have a transfer advantage over several of their competitors.
