Leeds United players facing late fitness tests v Leicester, Patrick Bamford unlikely to make squad – report
A number of the Leeds United squad are facing late fitness tests ahead of the Premier League clash with Leicester today (5 March).
That’s according to Leeds Live, who reports that Diego Llorente and Patrick Bamford are two of those included.
It is suggested that despite his return to training this week, Bamford will not make the squad and will instead be saved by Jesse Marsch.
Writing for Leeds Live, Joe Donnohue suggested the latest negative squad news facing Marsch ahead of the trip.
“The new head coach also stated there were a few other players facing late fitness tests at Thorp Arch, but mentioned Bamford and Llorente by name,” he said.
“Suggesting the senior duo are unlikely to be called upon in Marsch’s first outing as Leeds United head coach.”
He went on to name the potential 20-man squad travelling, with Bamford and Llorente not involved at all.
Smart?
Bamford has been out for so long, there would be a major risk in rushing him back far too soon for selection.
We saw back in December that he isn’t the type of player who can just run straight back into the action, as he pulled his hamstring after scoring on his return against Brentford.
Marsch has the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper also returning soon, meaning he will have a full squad to choose from.
These are cup finals coming up as we look to fight off relegation from the Premier League, and we need everyone fit and firing at 100%.
Integrating the players back into training is a brilliant move, though, and Marsch looks to have different methods to Marcelo Bielsa.
Let’s hope to see them sooner rather than later, starting with Bamford against Aston Villa on Thursday.
In other Leeds United news, Jeff Stelling has shared what he has been told about the injury blow to Patrick Bamford over the past week