As ever,the message boards and forums are full of mixed views and what side are you on regarding Davide Somma? Undoubtedly if fit, he could do a job for us but does the fact he's training with us again indicate the state of affairs at Elland Road.
The unlucky South African burst onto the scene with us in 2010, having been loaned out to Lincoln and Chesterfield, his sharp finishing and knack of grabbing goals from the bench made him a popular figure on the terraces banging n 12 goals. However he damaged his anterior cruciate ligaments in the 2011 close season, an injury which would effectively rule him out until last December where he was a surprise inclusion in the games against Chelsea and Middkesbrough. He scored at Forest on Boxing Day but it was revealed he had broken down again having come back too soon.
In April, Brian McDermott revealed Leeds wouldn't be offering Somma a new deal when his contract ran out in the summer, but the player was welcome to train with us. Typically he got injured again and Somma appeared to disappear off the radar and even McDermott admitted pre-season he had no idea where he was.
However, now he is back and apparently one month off full fitness. Yesterday he told Radio Leeds "You never know the future and I'm going to do everything I can because I feel I have something to give to the club,
"I've got about a month of hard running left to do and I think I'm getting close to full fitness again now.
"I've had the last clean out of my knee and it went perfect. I'm just looking forward to playing football and scoring goals.
"I understand why Brian McDermott didn't offer me a new deal in the summer but he said to me 'Get yourself better, get fit and we'll take a look at you'. I'm really grateful for that."
Given our stuttering strike-rate, a fully fit Somma would be a more than welcome addition but I fear with him having been out for two and a half years, this is clutching at straws somewhat to expect him to provide a much needed avalanche in front of goal.
I admire his determination but unlike some of the gloom mongers, I'm not trotting out the line that this news has come out of sheer financial desperation. Somma is simply training with the club as a free-agent and if his rehabilitation offers us another realistic striking option then Brian McDermott will surely grasp it?