Phil Hay: Patrick Bamford may be on Leeds bench v Crystal Palace
Phil Hay has shared that it could be possible for Patrick Bamford to return to the Leeds United bench this evening against Crystal Palace.
The Whites welcome Patrick Vieira’s men to Elland Road knowing that three points are vital in the Premier League.
Bamford returned from his injury and played the entire 90 minutes for the under-23s against Manchester City last night.
Writing in his pre-match Q&A for The Athletic, Hay shared the possibility of Bamford being involved this evening.
“It wouldn’t be like Bielsa to launch him straight into the team tonight (it’s possible he might be on the bench but unlikely I’d say),” he said.
“So Brentford might be his time.”
Get him in?
Although the main goal will be to time the return of Bamford perfectly, he is desperately needed right now in the first team.
Playing 90 minutes was never the initial goal for the under-23s last night, but an injury to Leo Hjelde meant it had to happen.
Thankfully, he got through that with flying colours and hopefully, that proves that he is more than ready to return.
Having Bamford on the bench against Palace would be a huge boost, and Bielsa must be seriously going against his usual stance of playing it slow with those returning from injury.
Joe Gelhardt and Dan James have filled that gap in his absence, with Tyler Roberts also slightly catching the eye in a small cameo at Brighton.
Despite those three trying and succeeding in patches, all it proved was that Leeds will be much better with Bamford in the final third – bring it on.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to make major January signings with unexpected deals to force action