Patrick Bamford touch-and-go to make remarkable Leeds United return v Burnley
Phil Hay suggests Patrick Bamford could be in contention to return from injury for Leeds United when they play Burnley at Elland Road on Sunday.
On Friday, Marcelo Bielsa effectively ruled Bamford, 28, out of the match, saying that while the striker has healed from his latest injury, he’s not ready to play due to a lack of fitness.
However, The Athletic journalist Hay now suggests Bamford may be included in Biesla’s matchday squad to take on Burnley in an all-important clash at the bottom-end of the Premier League table.
“Patrick Bamford is touch and go but Marcelo Bielsa expected to have Llorente, Harrison and James back from injury/illness to face Burnley,” Hay wrote on The Athletic website.
“Junior Firpo has also completed a one-match ban. Burnley have selection issues but despite cases of Covid over there, the game looks like going ahead.”
On the bench?
If Bamford’s going to be involved today, then we’re not expecting him to make Bielsa’s starting line-up.
However, there’s a potential spot on the bench for the striker, who was substituted into his last match against Brentford on 5 December to score, before getting injured again.
Bamford hasn’t started for Leeds since assisting a goal against Newcastle in the 1-1 draw at St James’ Park on 17 September.
Leeds have won just three times since Bamford’s injury and struggled for goals.
Bielsa needs the England international back in action as soon as possible because Rodrigo is also injured and Joe Gelhardt’s lack of experience makes him an unreliable and risky choice up top.
Daniel James and Jack Harrison have also been played up front without any great success and Raphinha is the only real source of goals this team has while Bamford is absent.
We cannot afford for Bamford to be rushed back because he may have got injured against Brentford because he wasn’t fully match-fit.
But it would be a boost to have him in the squad against Burnley.
In other Leeds United news, Hay says two more players are set to miss out against Burnley.