Leeds United early team news v Coventry City: Patrick Bamford update shared
Daniel Farke has revealed that Patrick Bamford is edging closer to a full return from injury for Leeds United.
The 31-year-old has made just 10 Championship substitute appearances this season, currently suffering from a hamstring injury, likely picked up in his 20 minutes against Blackburn Rovers last month.
Ethan Ampadu, Max Wober and Ilia Gruev has all returned from long-term injuries in recent weeks, boosting the Whites’ charge for promotion back to the Premier League, leaving just Bamford to come.
Speaking to the media [4 February], Farke revealed that Bamford could return “pretty soon” before saying: “He’s the only one who will be missing.”
Patrick Bamford to make Leeds United impact in second half of campaign?
Leeds will be hoping to build on their emphatic 7-0 win over Cardiff City last time out, with Farke’s side currently topping the Championship table above Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland.
The manager almost has too many attacking options at his disposal, proven by the unbelievable win over the Bluebirds, but this should not distract the players from the task at hand.
Having lost to Southampton in the Championship play-off final last term, the Whites cruelly missed out on promotion back to the top tier of English football, and they will want to avoid a repeat.
Someone who could play a vital role in keeping the young players calm is Bamford, having already taken Leeds back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa.
While his numbers in front of goal have dried up, he can still bring a lot of experience and intelligence to the changing room and this is far easier if he’s part of the matchday squad.
In addition to this, Joel Piroe needs someone who can challenge him through the middle, with Mateo Joseph struggling to hit the back of the net since the campaign kicked off.
Bamford can be that player but he needs to prove he can remain fit for the rest of the season.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke is risking a player handing in a transfer request after what’s happened at Elland Road.
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