Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has backed striker Kemar Roofe to return to his best form for Leeds United’s play-off campaign.
Roofe, who is the Whites’ top scorer this season with 14 goals, was most prolific before the turn of the year when he scored 13 goals including a dramatic brace against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day.
Since New Years’ Day, however, the Englishman’s only goal came in a 2-0 win over Derby in February before the forward suffered a knee injury in February.
According to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay, Roofe will play up front in the absence of the suspended Patrick Bamford for the first leg of Leeds’ play-off semi-final with Derby.
Speaking to the newspaper, Bielsa backed the striker to hit form when the Whites need it most.
“He had some moments that could have broken the balance and we can see he’s been absent for many games,” the Argentine said.
“But he was always looking to the goal, he won duels with the centre-backs and my point of view is that he will arrive at Saturday’s game close to his highest level. It was a necessary game for him.”
OPINION
Following the suspension of Bamford for the successful deception of a match official in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the end of last month, it is time for Roofe to find his best form for Leeds again. The striker netted 13 times in 18 appearances before the start of 2019, including braces against Blackburn, QPR and – ironically – Derby. If he’s struck two goals past the Rams once before this season, there’s no reason why he can’t do it again. In his last game against Ipswich, Roofe had several chances to get himself a goal – including a penalty – but he spurned them all as Bielsa’s side lost 3-2 in their final game of the regular season. That was his first game back though, and Leeds fans will be pleased to see him getting into those goal-scoring positions, even if he didn’t score them. Saturday’s game is where Roofe needs to really step up and take those sort of chances.