United were expected to make a decision on Becchio’s condition today after revealing that the Argentinian has ruptured a tendon in his leg.
Becchio underwent surgery on a hamstring problem towards the end of last season, ruling him out of the Championship run-in, but Leeds hoped a summer of rest would allow him to regain full fitness.
But the forward, who scored 20 goals for United last season, has missed all three of Leeds’ pre-season friendlies to date after pulling up in training a week ago, and manager Simon Grayson confirmed that Becchio was facing another medical procedure with the first weekend of the new term 16 days away.
The setback comes as another untimely blow to Grayson, less than a week after striker Davide Somma was ruled out for up to six months with knee ligament damage.
Grayson said: “There’s still a question mark over what we’re going to do with Luciano.
“He had a hamstring injury last season which turned out to be a ruptured tendon. We gave it the opportunity to calm down over the summer but he’s had a recurrence.
“We now have to decide whether to give him more rest or send him for another operation. I’ll know in the next day or so but he’s going to be touch and go for the start of the season and in danger of missing it.”
Patrick Kisnorbo, Robert Snodgrass and Lloyd Sam sat out of last night’s friendly at Rochdale with minor injuries but all three could be fit to appear at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.