National Team manager suggests Leeds star will not be seen for the rest of season

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Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has been quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post as saying that he thinks Leeds star Stuart Dallas only has an “outside chance” of being ready for his country’s international fixtures is June.

Dallas, who turns 32 in April, is approaching a year since his leg break against Manchester City. The versatile Leeds star has been sidelined since, often in a leg brace. He remains out of action, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

There had been no confirmation that Dallas would be back before the end of the season but many had hoped the 56-time Northern Ireland star might have a chance. Now, it appears that is unlikely, judging by O’Neill’s comments.

Indeed, Dallas and fellow Northern Irish legend Steven Davis have been with their nation’s camp this week in order to help the younger lads. Rangers midfielder Davis is also out injured, after undergoing knee surgery this year.

O’Neill was asked about the return date of Dallas and if he could feature against Denmark and Kazakhstan in June. He responded by stating he feels Dallas has an “outside chance” to play, three weeks after Leeds finish the season.

“Stuart has maybe got an outside chance,” O’Neill said. “I’m not relying on that. Stuart is desperate to be involved involved in this game, maybe unrealistically. Maybe pushed himself to his own detriment a little bit,” O’Neill said.

“The medical team here is top class. The communication with the clubs is excellent, which is very important. The clubs appreciate how we treat the players when they come away. We’ll just have to see how Stuart is at that point.”

Leeds star Dallas has outside chance of being ready for June fixtures

A real blow for Dallas, if true. He will have been targeting the fixtures in June, and even the latter games of our Premier League season, to make his comeback. Especially, given it is approaching 12 months since he last played.

So, if O’Neill believes Dallas will not be ready for June then he has little chance of playing for Leeds before the end of the season. Perhaps, that will be a blessing – given a full pre-season and the chance to return fresh for 23-24.