Wilfredo Leon sat out Bogdanka friendlies after knee plasma treatment, coach says

Absence from the friendly tournament

Wilfredo Leon did not play in the Bogdanka Volley Cup, the friendly tournament named after Tomasz Wójtowicz that was the last test event before the Tauron League season. His absence drew attention from fans, since he was named MVP of the European Championship that Poland won. Leon has played for Bogdanka LUK Lublin for two years, during which he led the club to the Polish championship, the cup, the supercup and the Challenge Cup. Interia reported that the national team staff had managed his workload during the European Championship, which ended on 26 September. Przegląd Sportowy reported that he had a problem with his left groin after the semifinal against Slovenia. After the tournament he took a short break before rejoining the club.

Knee treatment and recovery

Przegląd Sportowy Onet reported that Leon had a plasma injection in his knee, a treatment it described as traditional for him after the national team period. Interia, citing the same outlet, said the procedure is followed by a recommended break of just under two weeks from training at full load. Until then Leon had worked mainly in the gym, while the volleyball elements of his preparation followed an individual plan. Przegląd Sportowy reported that his first volleyball training sessions with the club were due in the week of 12 October. Bogdanka's coach has said that nothing dangerous is happening with his player.

Coach's assessment

Stephane Antiga said that everything was heading in the right direction. He said Leon trained hard in the gym but followed an individual path on the other elements, and that he was now ready to return to full training. If everything goes to plan, Leon will be available for the first match of the season against ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. That match is on Sunday, 18 October, at 14:45 in Kędzierzyn-Koźle, and the plan is for Leon to help the team from the opening whistle. Antiga's remarks were paraphrased in the Polish-language reports, so they appear here without direct quotation.

Supercup and the season ahead

Bogdanka LUK, runners-up in Poland, face Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie in the Polish Supercup on 25 October. Przegląd Sportowy described that match as the club's first trophy contest of the season and said it is the priority ahead of the league opener. The two fixtures fall a week apart, so Leon's return date will determine how soon he is tested in competition. The schedule of key matches for the coming weeks is shown below.