The Leeds United man hasn’t kicked a ball for three months.
Neil Redfearn has told TV Yorkshire that Liam Bridcutt has to fight if he wants to win his place back in Leeds United’s best XI.
The summer signing from Sunderland has been out of action since September with a foot injury.
But Leeds have not missed the combative midfielder all that much and that is because the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Eunan O’Kane – also a summer signing – and Ronaldo Vieira have all dazzled in central midfield roles this season.
The 27-year-old is back training again with the Whites this week but it remains to be seen when manager Garry Monk will usher him back into the matchday squad.
Phillips and Vieira were outstanding in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa last time out. Even if he was fully fit then Bridcutt would still probably struggle to displace one of them for Friday night’s visit to Brighton & Hove Albion.
And former Leeds boss Redfearn tells TV Yorkshire that the “big question” facing the former Chelsea youth is whether he can earn regular football upon returning.
“Obviously they want to get him 100%. With Vieira and Phillips doing so well, and O’Kane doing well, there is no rush to get him back.
“What he [Monk] doesn’t want to do is disrupt the fact these youngsters are playing well, but he’s going to have real competition to get in that. That’s the big question.”
Bridcutt is a fine player but, as Redfearn said, his place has been taking and the onus is on him to win it back, rather than Monk automatically dropping someone to accomodate his return.
Matty Cash of Nottingham Forest in action with Liam Bridcutt of Leeds United
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
