Enoch Boost

Last updated : 21 March 2009 By Kevin Markey
But the striker is not expected to play again this season.

Showunmi has been building up his fitness during running sessions at Thorp Arch, three months after being diagnosed with a blood clot on one of his lungs.

The former Bristol City striker was taken ill around Christmas and although he has made a complete recovery from his immediate problem, he is still to receive the go-ahead to rejoin full training with the first-team squad.

Showunmi's treatment for what could have been a life-threatening ailment is preventing him from participating in any contact sessions, but Simon Grayson voiced his relief at seeing the striker begin the early stages of his comeback.

The Nigerian international's last appearance of Leeds came in the 3-1 defeat at MK Dons on December 20.

Grayson said: "He's back doing a lot of fitness work but I'm not sure whether he'll be in condition to play before the end of the season. I'd be very surprised if he was.

"But at least he's back running. It's a major boost for him but he's putting in a lot of hard work and hopefully he'll be back doing a little bit of work on the football side before the end of the season.

"It's a lonely road when you're running around that pitch and you need to have the mental strength to come back from these things. I'm sure it was a big shock to Enoch, as it was to all of us."