Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has questioned why it has taken so long for the club to confirm that midfielder Adam Forshaw will miss the rest of the season through injury.

It was announced earlier this week that Forshaw is set to travel to America for surgery on a hip injury, meaning he will not return to action until at least the start of the next campaign.

Tha injury has meant that Forshaw has not made an appearance for Marcelo Bielsa's side since their 1-0 defeat at Charlton at the end of September, and Whelan has been left to wonder why it has taken so long for information about the 28-year-old - who he also says will be a big miss on the pitch - to emerge.

Speaking to Football Insider about the loss of Forshaw, the 45-year-old said: “He started the season off so well, I don’t know why it’s taken so long to come out and say this, it’s taken a long, long time."

Discussing the impact Forshaw's absence has had - and will continue to have - on Marcelo Bielsa's side, Whelan continued: “We’ve carried on the season without him, it would have been nice to see him back and have that kind of lift for the side because I think he’s the next best thing we have for Kalvin in that role.

“On that side of things, it’s disappointing not to have that experience and that quality in the ranks.”

Forshaw had made a total of eight appearances in all competitions for Leeds at the start of this season, and has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract with the club, securing his future at Elland Road until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Verdict

I do think Whelan has a valid point here.

When you consider how long Forshaw has been out for, you do feel as though there has been plenty of time for a decision and announcement on his situation to be made.

Indeed, had this been confirmed earlier, it could have even prompted the club to move in the transfer market in January, in order to bring in a replacement for the 28-year-old in the centre of midfield.

With so much at stake in the battle for promotion in the next few months, it will be interesting if the choice not to bring in that replacement costs Leeds over the next few months.