Return of Patrick Bamford edges closer
Leeds United and boss Marcelo Bielsa edge closer to receiving desperately-needed reinforcements at Elland Road as star striker Patrick Bamford continues to progress in his recovery while nearing a return to first-team duties.
This would be a huge boost ? #lufc https://t.co/CGmMOiphBX
— Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) December 29, 2021
According to injury analyst Ben Dinnery, the England international himself updated the Leeds fanbase when speaking with the Yorkshire Evening Post;
“The injury is coming along good. I should be doing drills [on Thursday] and then we’ll see how close we are. It’s touch and go for Burnley. I’m feeling good. I’ve hit every marker. It’s very close.”
With Bamford eluding to a return to first-team action as early as 2 January when Bielsa’s men host Burnley at Elland Road, his inclusion, even on the bench, would offer a massive confidence boost to both players and fans alike in what has been a torrid season in Yorkshire.
Leeds on the cusp of a relegation scrap
The 2021-22 Premier League campaign has been a night and day scenario for Leeds United over a year removed from their return to the top flight of English football.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Danny Rose of Watford FC is challenged by Raphinha of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Watford at Elland Road on October 02, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
After a 2020-21 season that saw some scintillating football on offer at Elland Road and names like Patrick Bamford, Raphinha, and Kalvin Phillips up in lights in Yorkshire, Marcelo Bielsa’s men have dealt with a myriad of injury issues that have ravaged the first-team camp made worse by the latest Covid outbreak across the league.
At current, the Whites sit just five points clear of Burnley in 18th (who possess three matches in hand) and are seven points off true mid-table (10th) while banking just one win in their last six fixtures (1-2-3) which includes three losses in succession.
It is a far cry from the progress and potential shown by Leeds just 12-months ago, and now with the likes of Raphinha and Phillips drawing attention from some of the biggest clubs both at home and abroad and club owner Andrea Radrizzani admitting Leeds may have to sell key assets in the near future, a return to the Premier League may not be everything that one of the most loyal fanbases in England may have truly hoped for.
