Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has insisted that Patrick Bamford will not be rushed into a return to first-team action.
The 25-year-old forward has not featured for the Championship side since August after snapping a ligament in his knee in a development squad match.
It was initially believed that the former Chelsea man would be out until January with the injury, but played for the U23s a fortnight ago and was deemed fit enough to make the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 win over QPR.
Bielsa has insisted, however, that the former England youth international will not be hurried back into action.
As quoted in the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “He’s a very important player but it’s one thing to be fit and another to recover his performances.
“I think he’ll need some time to get to the level he was at before he got injured but we’re very happy to have him back so he can start the process of getting to his level sooner than we were expecting.”
OPINION
Leeds are just coming up to a crucial juncture in their push for a return to the top flight. After a brief rocky spell they have righted themselves to open up a five point gap between themselves and third-placed Sheffield United, and with Norwich just one point ahead of them, Bielsa will know that a fruitful festive period could set them up for a commanding position going into the new year. The obvious downside to this upcoming glut of fixtures is of course the frequency and intensity at which they are played, and having Bamford back in contention for a role will be a hugely pleasing development for the Argentine. Bielsa is a vastly experienced manager and will know that for all he has the potential to offer, the forward will be useless should he exacerbate an injury that is not even proper time to heal. All the signs are that Bamford is on the cusp of a return, but if Bielsa wishes to exercise caution then he will have his reasons, and it could prove to be the best thing for both player and club in the long run.