Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has warned Adam Forshaw that he must consider his life as well as football as he recovers from a significant hip injury.

Forshaw hasn't featured for Leeds since a 1-0 defeat away to Charlton Athletic at the end of September, and it was confirmed earlier this month that the midfielder will now travel to America for surgery on the injury, which will keep him out for the end of the season.

That is something Robinson feels will be a big blow for Marcelo Bielsa's side in the battle for promotion, as he told MOT Leeds News: “Forshaw has been a big miss for Leeds all season, and he’ll be a big miss for the rest of the season."

But despite the blow this news hits Leeds with, Robinson feels Forshaw must be careful in getting his recovery process right for his life beyond football, as well as within the game, with the ex-England international adding: “Hip injuries are always difficult ones and the problem is that it’s not an injury that’s easily solved by surgery.

“It’s one he’s got to get right for him for the rest of his life, not just for football. It’s more of a life injury, something you’re going to have to live with."

Since joining Leeds from Middlesbrough in 2018, Forshaw has made 52 appearances in all competitions for the Yorkshire club.

There are two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Elland Road, securing his future with Leeds until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Verdict

This is an interesting point that Robinson raises here.

Forshaw was certainly impressive during the first half of for Leeds, and his absence will of course be a concern for them over the next few weeks.

However, if as Robinson say, this is indeed something that could affect his life beyond the game, then it is certainly not something that needs to be rushed for the sake of having him available for one of two more games at some point in the future.

Indeed, Forshaw probably has a handful for years left as a player, but plenty left in his life after that, and he surely has to consider what he wants to risk more as he recovers from this setback.