Bielsa confirms fresh new injury doubt for Leeds clash v West Brom, star player could miss out
Patrick Bamford is an injury doubt for Leeds United when they take on West Brom at The Hawthorns on Tuesday, Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed.
Bamford, 27, was reportedly seen struggling [Metro] at the end of Leeds’ win against Burnley on Sunday, a game in which the striker scored the winning goal from the penalty spot.
The former Chelsea and Middlesbrough striker has scored 10 times in 15 Premier League appearances this term but he could be missing for the Whites this week when they take on the struggling Baggies.
As quoted by the Metro, Bielsa told the media: “With respect to Bamford I don’t know yet.”
Rodrigo to start up front?
If Bamford is missing, it’s likely that Rodrigo will finally get the chance to start a game up front for the Whites.
Since arriving in a club-record deal from Valencia in the summer, Rodrigo has only started in the midfield for Leeds even though many thought that he was snapped up as a centre-forward upgrade on Bamford.
But with the English striker firing on all cylinders, Rodrigo’s had absolutely no chance of getting a start up front until now.
We’ll have to wait and see whether Bamford will miss out but if he’s fit, there’s a good chance Bielsa will start him anyway.
Bielsa does everything he can to avoid changing his starting line-up, even though there has been such a short turnaround in between games.
However, Bielsa hasn’t had to cope with a congested fixture list like this before at Leeds so there could be changes somewhere in the side.
If Bamford misses out then expect Rodrigo to start up front with Pablo Hernandez slotting into the midfield.
In other Leeds United news, fans are concerned about Andrea Radrizzani’s future as the club’s owner after a new update.