Wilfried Gnonto will return to Leeds United this week with what looks like a sprained ankle after limping out of Italy’s clash with Malta on Sunday evening. The forward started the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match in Ta’ Qali, which Italy won 2-0, but his night was brought to a premature end in the 22 nd minute as he left the field with an injury.
Gnonto could be seen receiving treatment on his right ankle and he looked uncomfortable as he was replaced by Vincenzo Grifo on what was his 10 th appearance for his country. It comes after what was a hugely impressive showing against England on Thursday night with Gnonto picking up plenty of plaudits for his cameo off the bench.
The teenager will now return to Thorp Arch for further assessment and treatment and Leeds’ medical staff will be keeping a close eye on his progress this week.
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“Gnonto is dealing with a sprain, I hope it is nothing to worry about,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said after the game in Malta.
“These are matches where you have everything to lose and they get ugly. Not pleasant ones. We did some good things and some less, but it was important to win. We could have scored a few more goals, but these matches are a bit strange."
The Whites’ will also be keen to take a closer look at the injury Max Wober suffered on international duty with Austria last week. Wober appeared to pick up a thigh issue in the first half of Austria’s win over Azerbaijan, ruling him out of this evening’s qualifier against Estonia in Linz.
Wober took to social media over the weekend, though, allaying fears of a long term lay-off.
“Great start for the qualifications unfortunately ended with a small injury,” he wrote on Instagram.
The defender will join Gnonto in the Thorp Arch treatment room this week and further assessment will be made ahead of Saturday’s trip to Arsenal in the Premier League.
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