OPINION
Leeds have been hit with yet more injuries to contend with this week, with the news that Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas are out for long spells on the sidelines.
However, there was some really big news from today’s press conference as well, as manager Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that both Patrick Bamford and Izzy Brown were available for selection.
Bielsa was talking at the pre-match press conference (Leeds official app, Thursday, 1.30pm) ahead of the QPR game and there’s a real chance that both players could now make the bench on Saturday after making their returns in the Under-23s in recent weeks.
This would be a massive boost for Leeds and while the defence has been stretched with the latest injuries, this would give Bielsa a myriad of options in attack.
They say that the best form of defence is attack and that could prove the case on Saturday against a QPR side that is mired in mid-table.
It’s not Bielsa’s style to rush players back from injury. Both Bamford and Brown’s returns have been carefully managed. But this is the first time he’s said they’re available and that’s an exciting development.
It was initially thought that both players wouldn’t be back until January. Their return has now come three weeks early and should provide the impetus that Leeds need to secure all three points at Elland Road on Saturday.