Leeds United early team news v Millwall: Bamford ruled out as return date given
Daniel Farke has confirmed Patrick Bamford will play no part when Leeds United face Millwall in the FA Cup fourth round.
Ahead of facing Millwall in their tie at Elland Road on Saturday, Farke confirmed that Bamford is the only United player ruled out of contention to feature.
Bamford hasn’t featured for the Peacocks since picking up an injury prior to last month’s 3-3 draw with Hull City, and has been limited to just 10 Championship appearances this term, all off the bench.
Daniel Farke shares Leeds United team news update v Millwall
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (6 February), Farke said: “At the moment the only player who is not in team training is Patrick, and for that, the first step for him – to return back to team training.
“I hope it will happen at some point, perhaps earlier, then more or less at some point next week. We will see, it depends on the final stages of his rehab. Definitely not in the mix for Saturday.”
Patrick Bamford struggles continue at Leeds United
Were Bamford anything close to full fitness or even showing glimpses of his best form this season, there would have been very little worry caused by United’s failure to sign a striker before the transfer deadline.
On that top form, Bamford is arguably levels above the Championship – and has an England cap to prove it – but in the wake of almost constant injury problems, any semblance of consistency has deserted him.
With Joel Piroe scoring yet again in the Whites’ 2-0 win at Coventry City on Wednesday, the centre-forward berth is his to lose, but the unreliability of Bamford has sparked fears that United need more.
Mateo Joseph also broke a lengthy goal drought against Cardiff the game prior, but with Bamford now a very distant third in the pecking order – and that counts for little when he’s not fit – those fears are valid.
It remains to be seen if Bamford can ever get back to the performances which saw him spearhead Leeds’ promotion in 2020, but he’ll once again be out of sight and out of mind when Millwall pitch up in LS11.