Charlie Cresswell: Leeds defender crashes £60,000 Land Rover into police car outside Elland Road

Leeds United’s Charlie Cresswell was involved in a collision which badly damaged a police car outside Elland Road ahead of the team’s crunch play-off semi-final second leg against Norwich. 

Telegraph Sport understands Cresswell is still available for the squad despite police inquiries into the circumstances of his Land Rover Defender hitting a Peugeot police patrol vehicle. 

Officers confirmed they had launched inquiries into the circumstances of the smash as players reported to the stadium shortly after 10am. 

Eyewitnesses saw defender Cresswell, 21, behind the wheel of his £60,000 vehicle after the collision happened near the club ticket office on Elland Road. 

It was not clear who was at fault for the collision but the severely damaged West Yorkshire Police patrol car was left significantly worse off, badly damaged to a front and rear wing and its doors. An officer received medical treatment for minor injuries but no other injuries were reported. 

Police launching inquiries at the scene were seen clearing debris from the crash, which had scattered across the road outside the West Stand. The drama will have been an unwelcome distraction for a Leeds side facing their biggest game of the season, after a 0-0 draw with Norwich in the first leg. 

Cresswell has been a regular substitute for Daniel Farke’s side. 

A force spokesperson said: “At 10.13am today [Thursday], police were notified of a collision involving a police car and a Land Rover Defender on Elland Road, Leeds.  An officer received medical treatment for minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.  Enquiries are ongoing.”

There have been significant police presences for both legs of the tie between two of the Championship’s biggest teams. After the first leg, police made arrests after a Leeds supporter was allegedly attacked by a gang of taunting supporters outside Carrow Road. 

During the first encounter, neither side fashioned many scoring chances in a cagey affair.

Both teams approached the play-offs after a dip in form, with Norwich winning just two of their final seven league games to scrape into sixth while Leeds managed just two wins in eight to blow their chances of going up automatically.