Phil Hay: Bamford injury hopefully a dead leg after Leeds striker subbed off
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has suggested Patrick Bamford might have only suffered a dead leg as Leeds United drew with Chelsea on Saturday.
Bamford, 27, was substituted off in the first half of the goalless draw at Elland Road after failing to shake off a leg injury.
Writing on The Athletic website after the game, Hay said: “Hopefully a dead leg. [Marcelo] Bielsa should be starting his presser shortly.”
Unfortunately, Bielsa didn’t offer any update on Bamford’s fitness.
As quoted by LeedsLive, the Leeds manager said: “[Liam] Cooper is sick and Patrick, I have not asked yet.”
Available to play v Fulham?
Leeds have less than a week before their next Premier League match, which sees them travel to the capital to play Fulham at Craven Cottage.
We know all about the London curse and how that is bound to be playing on the minds of Leeds players ahead of their trip to Fulham but their task of breaking the curse will be made even more difficult if Bamford isn’t available.
Although a dead leg doesn’t sound serious, it could still mean that Bamford struggles to train fully between now and Friday. It could also mean he’ll struggle to play a full 90 minutes at Craven Cottage.
Rodrigo could replace Bamford up front but he’s had his own injury issues as of late and as we’ve seen with Diego Llorente this season, Bielsa and the medical staff might not be so keen to push players too hard who’ve just returned from a spell on the sidelines.
Bamford’s one of the most important players in this squad and being without him, even for one match, is going to be a blow.
Hopefully Bielsa and his other players can find a way to cope without the Englishman if he does miss out against Fulham.
But if it is a dead leg, at least we can be safe in the knowledge that he might only miss the one game.
In other Leeds United news, Jermaine Jenas has said how Bamford’s injury could affect Leeds.