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Caleb Ekuban looks ready to return against Middlesbrough for Leeds United

Striker has been sidelined since August

Leeds United v Derby County - Sky Bet Championship Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Caleb Ekuban is a possibility to once again play a part in the Leeds United season as he appears to be fit for the upcoming match against Middlesbrough. Thomas Christiansen mentioned today at the team’s press conference that Ekuban has been working on his own for a few weeks, and looks have recovered from the surgery after suffering a broken foot against Sunderland.

Thomas Christiansen was asked about the status of a few of the injured players during the Leeds press conference earlier today, and regarding Ekuban, Christiansen had this to say,

I am very pleased.

He has been working for two or three weeks now without any problems and going every day better.

He will probably have a possibility to be in the squad.

Getting a striker such as Ekuban fit and ready to go will create a little bit of a selection headache for Christiansen. While Pierre-Michel Lasogga seems to have his place in the starting XI pretty much set in stone, Christiansen has Kemar Roofe, Jay-Roy Grot, and Pawel Cibicki to all choose from as someone to come on in relief of the big German. Kemar Roofe looked great against Brentford in the second half after Lasogga was subbed off, and if anyone should get a chance to start up top in place of Lasogga, it probably should be Roofe. Ekuban works hard off the ball and has some pace, but he’s only scored one goal so far this season, and that was late in the blow-out win against Port Vale in the League Cup.

On the other hand, if this means that Jay-Roy Grot isn’t going to be thrown on in the second half, this might be a good thing. Grot is a work in progress, and while he’s got the physical tools, he hasn’t been able to put them all together yet.

Ekuban probably won’t start against Boro, but if the team needs an injection of pace in the second half, look for Ekuban to be brought on late to hopefully seal the win.