Patrick Bamford will sit out of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle United but Jesse Marsch is confident that he can have a big say on Leeds United’s season in the New Year. Bamford underwent minor groin surgery earlier this month and after a recent bout of illness, he hasn’t restarted training just yet.
His return to fitness will come as a welcome boost for Marsch, who has seen the striker struggle to nail down a steady run of games since his appointment at the club back in February. A series of short-term issues have restricted the striker to just 10 appearances this season and his lack of consistency seems to have had an impact on his form and confidence, with his last Premier League goal coming in December 2021.
However, after missing Leeds’ mid-season training camp in Spain, three friendly games and the clash with Manchester City earlier this week, the hope is that Bamford can finally leave his injury woes behind him after going under the knife.
“Probably not in training until next week, hopefully Sunday-Monday,” Marsch said when asked about Bamford’s fitness status.
“We know that Patrick can score goals in bunches, he's proven that. I tell you, he hasn't been at 100 per cent since I've been here. He just hasn't.
“Even that being said he’s created a tonne of chances and it's unfortunate that some of them haven't fallen the way that he's wanted. We're hopeful that this diagnosis and this surgery can really be kind of a big part of the physical equation and solution for what's necessary for Patrick. His attitude has been good he's doing everything he can and again, hopefully we get him going next week.”
Asked whether Bamford could be relied upon by the Whites following his injury struggles, Marsch added: “From what we've seen, he seems like he's on the right track to physically get himself back to 100 per cent. So we're really hopeful that the answer is yes.”
It seems fair to assume that next Wednesday’s Premier League clash against West Ham United would come too soon for Bamford, should he be given the green light to restart full training in the coming days. But, the FA Cup clash with Cardiff City on January 8 might provide the perfect stage for the striker to be eased back into the action.
Alternatively, the club’s U21s restart their Premier League 2 Division 2 season next Friday at Nottingham Forest and depending on the approach the Whites take, it could suit.
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