In the EFL

“Gutted” – Out on loan Leeds United midfielder’s season over following injury prognosis

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Leeds United loanee Lewis Bate will miss the remainder of the season for Oxford United, after breaking a bone in his hand.

The EFL is a good place for youngsters to develop, as Bate has been proving for Oxford. He had enjoyed a productive loan spell with the club, playing 35 times for them, with four assists and a goal to his name as well in that period.

With Adam Forshaw out of contract in the summer and said to be considering retirement according to Leeds All Over sources, there could be an opening in the first-team’s midfield for Bate, and his good form at Oxford has brought into question his future at Elland Road again.

However, unfortunately his loan looks to have been cut short, and he will likely return to Thorp Arch.

What’s the latest with Lewis Bate at Oxford?

Oxford announced via their official website that the midfielder is set to miss the remainder of the season, they said: “Oxford United are likely to be without Lewis Bate for their remaining games after the on-loan Leeds midfielder had an operation on a hand injury.”

They added: “Lewis has enjoyed a successful loan from Leeds this season but broke a bone in his hand during the home game against Derby. He underwent surgery yesterday.”

According to Leeds All Over sources Bate has broken a bone in his hand but also damaged tendons as well, and the prognosis is that he is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign.

Recently appointed Oxford boss Liam Manning also spoke about the situation, he said: “It’s unfortunate but unavoidable. The nature of the injury just means we can’t risk him playing right now. He wanted to play on but we can’t delay it or it could lead to long-term issues and that is too great a risk so he is going to have to sit the matches out for the foreseeable future.

“Lewis is gutted but he is a very talented player and has a very bright future ahead of him; Oxford fans have seen that this season and like us will be wishing him a speedy recovery.”

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What position did Leeds finish in their first season in the Championship in 2004/05?

A real shame for Bate, considering how productive his loan spell had been going.

Oxford aren’t having the best time of things in the league, but despite that, the 20-year-old had been seriously impressing.

Hopefully he is involved with Leeds next season in a larger capacity, as Bate could offer an alternative in the Marc Roca role in terms of deeper ball progression to forward areas.

He is a fantastic technician, especially in terms of the fundamentals of taking the ball in tight spaces and being able to turn out of trouble and have the awareness to pick out good passes under pressure.

Can you see Bate becoming a first-team regular at Leeds?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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