Stuart Dallas: Northern Ireland and Leeds United midfielder still hoping for playing return

Stuart Dallas is hoping to return from injury this season

Northern Ireland and Leeds United midfielder Stuart Dallas says he had no thoughts of retirement during his lengthy injury recovery from a femoral fracture.

The 32-year-old hasn't played since sustaining the injury when in action for Leeds almost two years ago.

Dallas says he is hoping to return for Championship leaders Leeds before the end of this season.

"I hope I can," he told BBC Sport NI, "I'm still a bit away from that yet."

Dallas admitted there have been plenty of "mentally challenging" times along the way but said he is putting everything into making a comeback for the Championship league-leaders before the conclusion of the current campaign.

He said he wanted to add to the 62 Northern Ireland caps he has won for his country in any friendlies this summer.

"It's been a frustrating couple of years for me," he said. "The aim is to get back before the end of the season.

"Whether that happens or not we don't know but I'm working as hard as I can and if that means being available in the summer, I hope so. At the minute we're taking one day at a time and we'll see where that takes me.

"They've been difficult, there's no getting away from it. It's been a tough road. At times a lonely road but I've got good support around me.

"My family have been brilliant. My wife, I must give her special credit, because she's had to put up with a lot.

"It's been difficult but I can't feel sorry for myself. Nobody is going to do my rehab for me. I've got to do it myself and I'll get there in the end."

'It's been tough'

Despite being out injured since April of 2022, during which time Leeds were relegated from the Premier League, Dallas said that he has not contemplated the idea that his playing days could already be behind him.

"It's been tough," he said. "But I've never really let myself go that way. I'll keep plugging away and see what happens. It's been mentally challenging at times but we've got to stay strong.

"I'm very, very fortunate that I've had the career I've had. If that comes to an end, we'll deal with that when it comes but at the minute I'm not thinking about that."

Dallas was injured playing against Manchester City in April 2022

Should he get back before this season, Dallas said that he hopes to remain at Elland Road beyond the end of the campaign and his current deal.

"I've had a number of set-backs, of course I have, but I'm in the best hands possible at Leeds," he said. "The club have been brilliant with me, the fitness department, the medical department, the rehab coaches, have been second to none. I couldn't be in better hands.

"The medical staff have been phenomenal with me. I've put my full trust in them. I've had to do that from the very start. They've put their trust in me and together we're working to try and get back.

"There's still a few weeks to go until the end of the season and I'm putting everything into that.

"There's always big decisions to make. I'm out of contract at the end of the year but there's one thing for sure, I'll not give up and I would never turn my back on my country.

"If that means continuing, that's what I'll like to do.

"That would be the aim but we'll take it one day at a time and see where we go."