An update has emerged on the fitness of Leeds United's missing man Adam Forshaw.

The central midfielder has been absent from the first team since the 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic at the end of September.

Forshaw is understood to be suffering from a hip injury and last week Marcelo Bielsa revealed that he was unable to provide a return date for the 27-year-old.

In a Q&A for The Athletic, Phil Hay has provided an update on the midfielder's fitness and hinted that he is on his way to recovery.

He said: "He was out training on his own while the U23s were playing yesterday.

"It must be killing him having to sit and watch all this (as delighted as he'll be with the results)."

The Englishman was a key figure during Bielsa's first season in charge, making 32 appearances for the Whites.

Prior to picking up his injury, Forshaw had been a mainstay in the side again in the early part of the current campaign–starting the first six Championship games of the season.

His natural replacement in the squad, Jamie Shackleton, has also suffered from injury issues this season, having featured just once since the first of October, but now looks to be close to a return.

Leeds do not seem to have suffered too much without the midfield duo, however, as they currently sit top of the Championship.

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The Verdict

It will likely be a relief to many Leeds supporters to hear that, though his full return appears to remain a little while off, Forshaw is on his way to recovery and back training–even if just on his own.

It must've been a frustrating season so far for Forshaw, who had made an impressive start of the season and had really cemented his place in Bielsa's side as an important player.

In his absence, the Argentine coach has found a way to get more attacking players into the starting XI and their current seven-game winning run would suggest that it is working.