Mateo Joseph can stake starting claim at Leeds United after Patrick Bamford injury news
Leeds United head into their crucial Championship match against QPR with striker Patrick Bamford a huge injury concern.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds head south to Loftus Road on Friday (26 April) for their penultimate match of the Championship season, in need of three points as they look to consolidate a place in the top two promotion places.
Bamford was a key cog in Leeds’ 4-3 victory at Middlesbrough last time out, sweeping in a Junior Firpo cross to put the Whites 2-1 up in the first half, but came away from the Riverside with a bruised knee.
He’s not been able to fully overcome that injury in the days since and now looks to be a major doubt against QPR, leaving the door open for Farke to finally give a chance to Mateo Joseph, the 20-year-old striker who has been so impressive off the bench for Leeds this season.
Mateo Joseph must start for Leeds United against QPR
Leeds are second in the Championship table thanks to a rock-solid defence and the plethora of goal contributions provided by their electrifying front four.
The Championship’s best player Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and flying winger Daniel James have recorded over 20 goal contributions apiece, with strikers Bamford and Joel Piroe chipping in with 15 and 11 respectively.
However, Piroe’s languid style has hampered Leeds’ attack when playing instead of Bamford in the centre-forward position, despite his finishing being roundly accepted as superior.
That leaves a question as to what Farke does to accommodate the loss of Bamford, but luckily, he has an answer in the form of 20-year-old gem Joseph.
Netting his first Championship goal just seconds after coming off the bench to rescue a 2-2 draw with Watford on Good Friday, Joseph’s impact has increased with almost every appearance he’s made for Leeds.
Piroe came in for Bamford against Blackburn recently, but was ineffective in attack as Leeds failed to score and lost 1-0 at Elland Road – their first home defeat of the season.
By contrast, Joseph’s last start for the club, away at Chelsea in the FA Cup, saw him open the scoring inside eight minutes and head home a fantastic second goal on the hour mark to equalise in a match that eventually finished in a valiant 3-2 defeat.
If Leeds want to make a similarly fast start at Loftus Road, and have a player who can drag his side back into things if needs be, Farke must give Joseph the nod to lead Leeds from the front as they bid to tighten their grip on a top-two spot.
In other Leeds United news, a teenage sensation looks set to snub Manchester United in order to move to Elland Road.
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