Patrick Bamford spotted with Leeds United squad arriving at Fulham amid injury concerns
Patrick Bamford has travelled with the Leeds United squad to Craven Cottage for the crucial Premier League clash with Fulham, Adam Pope reports.
The striker was absent for the 6-1 hammering at home to Liverpool on Monday (17 April), before which Javi Gracia had revealed a new injury issue with his calf after he was withdrawn in the 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace eight days earlier.
Rodrigo filled in up front against Jurgen Klopp’s men but was unable to find the net, and while the oft-injured Englishman had returned to training this week it was touch and go whether he would be in the squad, but he has made the trip.
BBC man Pope posted on Twitter Saturday morning (22 April): “Bamford is here at Fulham”.
All hands on deck
It may be further back in the Leeds United line up where the real concerns are currently with 11 goals conceded in the past two games.
But Bamford is the only true number nine in the squad, and even when he doesn’t score his presence can unlock things for teammates around him.
Goals haven’t been such a problem for Gracia’s men since the last trip to Fulham where everything went against them in front of goal in a 2-0 loss to see them knocked out of the FA Cup, but every weapon being available helps.
The Whites badly need a response in the capital, and after two harrowing defeats at home it might lift some pressure to be on the road this week.
There are growing concerns about the mentality of the squad given how things have fallen apart in such a short space of time.
But with little to play for in the Premier League from a Fulham point of view this is undoubtedly an opportunity to put the last two games to bed and get back on track in the relegation battle before it’s too late.
In other Leeds United news, one misfit Elland Road man is now “perfectly integrated” elsewhere according to a legendary manager.