Leeds United star Stuart Dallas sends classy Jack Grealish message after career-ending tackle v Man City

Leeds United star Stuart Dallas says he holds no bitterness towards Manchester City’s Jack Grealish after announcing his retirement from professional football on Wednesday.

The Northern Ireland international hasn’t played since fracturing his femur in a tackle with Grealish at Elland Road almost two years ago. The Leeds favourite had hoped to play again after returning to training earlier this season but admitted his knee has suffered irreparable damage that would not allow him to resume his playing career.

Dallas recalled how Grealish contacted him immediately after the injury in April 2022 and has been in touch a few times since. The former Crusaders and Brentford man admits the incident is part of football and expects he might share a drink with the Man City star down the line.

Discussing the challenge from Grealish, Dallas told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "No bitterness, listen it's part of football. I probably went into that challenge so many times and I've just tried to intercept the ball and obviously Jack's come across me. He contacted me straightaway after that, when I was in the hospital and has been in contact since and there's no bitterness, I think it's just part of the game and unfortunately I came off worse and that's it really, but no bitterness at all.

“He's been great, honestly, that first week he contacted me a few times and you never know down the line I'll probably share a drink with him at some stage - and we both like our drinks at the right time."

Discussing his decision to retire, he said: "I genuinely believe we've the best medical team in the country here [at Leeds]. And I've had long discussions with with them, with my family, close friends. I'm not silly, I've played the game long enough to understand the situation that I'm in. I knew at the very start how complex the injury was. All along, I never lost hope. If I'm being honest, I always believed that I could get back, but more so over the last couple of weeks and months, I've realised that it was going to be really, really difficult.