Leeds United

Leeds United: Phil Hay drops encouraging injury update

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Image for Leeds United: Phil Hay drops encouraging injury update

Journalist Phil Hay has claimed that Jesse Marsch is expecting Patrick Bamford in Leeds United first-team training this week and that Joe Gelhardt should be back.

The England international limped off after 28 minutes on Saturday as his injury woes of the last 12 months continue to haunt him and look to throw his already slim chance of making the World Cup squad into the almost impossible region.

Marsch’s hands were slightly tied on Saturday against Southampton when Bamford came off as usual deputy Joe Gelhardt was not fit enough for the bench, which meant Daniel James, who played as a striker 14 times last season, was thrown into that role once more, while Sam Greenwood remained an unused substitute.

However, Marsch may not have to resort to fielding James up top for a while if Bamford comes through training unscathed this week – something that was discussed on The Phil Hay Show.

Hay said: “It seems clear to me that the players are starting to switch on more and more to the system and the tactics, and more than anything, I think knowing what to do with the ball when it comes to them in transition – that’s going to be such a big part of Marsch’s tactical approach.

“The bigger concern was certainly seeing no Gelhardt on the bench before the game, seeing Bamford coming off midway through the first half with an issue with his groin, his thigh – exactly what we didn’t want to see, but I think exactly the sort of thing that was always going to refuel the debate about do the club need another striker, do they need another forward?

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“It does feel to me like that has crystalised that discussion. And not purely because of the fact that Bamford’s limped off in that game; Marsch expects him to be back in training this week.

“Gelhardt had a dead leg and likewise, everybody around him thinks that he’ll be fit for Chelsea next weekend or thereabouts. But I think he just realised that seeing Bamford coming off like that, there is pressure on him again, there’s a lot of pressure on him to stay fit, stay in the team, to score goals.”

TIF Thoughts on Bamford’s injury woes…

It simply has been a torturous 12 months or so for Bamford, who had just earned his first call-up to the England national side due to his great form in front of goal during the 2020/21 season, but since that debut, he’s only managed to feature in eight competitive games for Leeds.

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Bamford proved himself to be a reliable striker in front of goal at Elland Road in the Premier League whenever fit, however, he is set to turn 29 later this year, and coupled with the fact he is now seemingly becoming injury-prone, it would surely make sense for Leeds to invest in a new striker, even if it was just on loan.

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