OPINION
Leeds United fans should breathe a sigh of relief after Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips have not suffered serious injuries in the 1-0 win against Bristol City.
Bamford was forced off in the victory at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon while Phillips also picked up a knock, sparking fears that two more of Leeds’ key stars were set for a spell on the sidelines with injury.
However after the game, Bielsa confirmed that the first team duo could be available for selection against Reading on Tuesday night.
“We’ll see by Tuesday how they are. I think they will be available,” said the Argentine, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay via his personal Twitter account after the game.
Bielsa on Bamford and Phillips: "We'll see by Tuesday how they are. I think they will be available." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) March 9, 2019
It is great news for Leeds fans because Bamford will be drastically missed if he is out on the sidelines for an extended period.
He scored the winning goal against Bristol City, but collided with the woodwork while sticking the ball in the back of the net, and it appeared to affect the way he was playing from then on.
Phillips suffered an ankle injury in the first-half but managed to finish the game, so there is perhaps less concern about him than Bamford. Either way, the midfielder has been one of the best players at Elland Road this season and for him to be available for the trip to the Madejski Stadium is a huge boost.
Reading will be on a high after scoring a late winner against Wigan on Saturday, so Bielsa’s will need to be at full strength for the journey down to Berkshire.
Having Bamford and Phillips means that Leeds should be able to march on their way to securing an automatic promotion spot and returning to the Premier League after well over a decade.