Journalist Pete O’Rourke has noted that the injuries to Illan Meslier and Patrick Bamford not being serious is a massive boost for Jesse Marsch at Leeds United.
Bamford was recently forced off due to injury in just his second start in the Premier League this calendar year against Wolves, but it will be huge for Leeds’ survival hopes if it is not as serious as it first seemed as Marsch has claimed. Bamford has been heavily missed this season as his goals last campaign were pivotal to the Whites’ success.
Meslier has started every single Premier League game for the Whites this season, but like Bamford, was forced off against Wolves due to an injury, and the news that he won’t be sidelined for a long period will be key for Marsch in the remainder of the season.
With the news that both players should return to action soon, O’Rourke spoke to GiveMeSport and said how key it is to have the duo back.
He said: “It’s a massive boost. That’s two key players in two key positions for them. Goalkeeper for Meslier and Bamford up front, who only recently returned for them.”
TIF Thoughts on Leeds…
Leeds United are currently in amongst a relegation scrap, as they sit two places above the bottom three on 29 points. Marsch lost his first two games as Leeds manager but has recently turned things around after winning back-to-back games in the Premier League thanks to last-minute winners in both to secure six critical points.
The Whites have seriously struggled with injuries this season, but Bamford has arguably been the biggest miss after he netted 17 times last term whilst chipping in with seven assists. Whereas this season, Leeds’s top scorer is Raphinha with nine goals, so if Leeds had Bamford up top in similar form to last season, they could see themselves well clear of the drop zone by now.
If Marsch can continue to grind out results and Bamford can start scoring goals on his return from injury, Leeds have a good chance of staying in the Premier League.