Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan has made a worrying claim regarding Patrick Bamford’s injury issues, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Bielsa’s concern
Bamford has missed 15 Premier League games this season with ankle and hamstring problems, with his last start coming way back in September away to Newcastle.
Marcelo Bielsa revealed prior to Leeds’ trip to Aston Villa that the striker hasn’t started running yet, with no improvement on latest injury.
The Whites boss admitted he was worried by Bamford’s continued spell on the sidelines, with winger Daniel James filling in up front on five occasions.
James could well lead the line once again at Villa Park after starting as a centre-forward against West Ham and Newcastle prior to the international break.
The Latest: Whelan’s comments
Whelan, labelled as a Leeds employee for his work with the club’s foundation by Football Insider, described Bamford’s absence as a ‘big worry’ and doesn’t think the striker will be back within the next four weeks.
“I don’t think this will be a short-term injury.
“We’ve desperately missed him, we don’t have another striker like him. He’s irreplaceable.
“It’s always a big worry when your natural centre-forward is out injured, you start to wonder where the goals are going to come from.
“It doesn’t seem like we’re going to see him in the next four weeks. Some of our attackers are going to have to step up and deputise, as they have been doing for the most part of this season now.
“You just can’t put your finger on how or why we’ve suffered all these injuries this season.
“It’d be a massive bonus to get him back but I just can’t see that happening now in the next month.”
The Verdict: Not good
Should Bamford not return within the next four weeks, he could be in danger of missing the next six fixtures.
By that time, you’d expect the Whites will either be sitting pretty clear of the bottom three or in a real relegation dog fight after 27 games played.
Bamford could be needed in the final 11 fixtures, starting with Norwich on March 12, however, hopefully, the Whites will pick up some positive results against tough opposition between now and then.
In other news: Leeds gifted another injury boost pre-Villa as Phil Hay relays news involving ‘important’ player.