Bridges resumes training

The 24-year-old has been dogged with terrible injuries during his time in West Yoirshire.

Having overcome ankle and knee injuries he made his comeback earlier this season, only to suffer a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Reports had suggested that his career may be in danger, but he is now back in training - although he will not play again until pre-season training this summer.

"We had a rupture of the Achilles tendon which wasn't on the affected side when he had the problem with his ankle two years ago," Whites physio Dave Hancock told Leeds' official website.

"He's had some devastating injuries and this was a career threatening injury, same as what David Batty and Michael Duberry had, and there have been players who have had to finish because of it.

"He's nowhere near playing yet, he's just been given the all clear to resume running but he's still got a long way to go. I am only satisfied once they've been playing regularly and training hard. The surgeon has been happy with the way things have been going.

"I have to say he's been different class, I thought his head would go down after being out for so long with different injuries but he's got his psychology right now, he's obviously learnt how to cope with serious injuries and he's just got his head down and been working very hard for us."

News of Bridges's return to training could very well catch the attention of Newcastle United.

Sir Bobby Robson is known to be a big fan of the former Sunderland star and sources in the North East have suggested that The Magpies could be tempted to take a gamble on Bridges.