Leeds United full-back Gaetano Berardi could be available by the end of February, after the the club and player decided against season ending surgery in the treatment of the hamstring injury he sustained back in October, it has been reported in the YEP.

Berardi is close to a first-team return having played for the U23's a fortnight ago, even though he had to be substituted at half-time in the match after feeling tightness in the recovering hamstring.

So how big a boost for Leeds will it be, if Berardi can return to first team action before the end of the month?

We discuss.....

Jay Taylor

“It’s a pretty big boost; they could do with another defensive option and Berardi was key for them earlier in the season.

“Leeds are leaking too many goals at present, and a slight alteration to the backline could do them a world of good.

“The end of the month can’t come soon enough.”

Gary Hutchinson

“Yeah, Leeds need all hands to the deck right now.

“They’re not so bad at the back, Berardi will obviously play but it might mean a shake up.

“They need bodies up front and in attack though.

“He won’t help out there.”

Jacob Potter

"What a boost this is.

"Leeds have needed some depth in defensive areas and Berardi will certainly provide them with that for the remainder of the season.

"He’s exactly what’s needed to tighten a leaky Leeds defence up."