---
title: "Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa hints at Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford return"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/bielsa-ayling-bamford-injury-return-leeds-u23s/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-11-29T14:05:37Z"
modified: "2021-11-29T14:05:37Z"
---

# Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa hints at Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford return

**Key Leeds United duo Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford will feature for the club’s under-23s on Monday evening, according to Marcelo Bielsa, whose press conference comments were relayed on Twitter by journalist Phil Hay.**

### The Lowdown: Leeds miss key duo

The Whites have had a season to forget so far, sitting 17th in the Premier League after securing a ninth-place finish last time around.

Part of their struggles have been down to injuries, with both [Ayling](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-ayling/leistungsdaten/spieler/67420) and [Bamford](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/leistungsdaten/spieler/183334) long-term absentees having not featured since September.

The duo were vital figures last season, [starting 75 out of 76 league games](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Archive/England-Leeds) between them, and their absences have hurt the team badly in the early weeks of 2021/22.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″\]

### The Latest: Bielsa provides positive update

It looks as though Ayling and Bamford could be back in the fold in the near future, though, following an update from Bielsa.

Hay took to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/PhilHay_/status/1465230296211771395?s=20) during the Leeds manager’s press conference as the Argentine claimed that the pair will feature for the u23s away to Manchester City on Monday night.

The journalist tweeted: “Bielsa talking pre Palace – Ayling and Bamford will play with the 23s this evening.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-25/)

### The Verdict: Huge boost for Whites

This is an enormous boost for Bielsa, just as Leeds are about to embark on a busy December with [six league fixtures](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leeds-united/scores-fixtures/2021-12) in the month.

Granted, it may take a little time for Ayling and Bamford to find their feet again after two-and-a-half months out, but their mere presence on the pitch may lift those around them, and their mooted return to under-23 action comes as a big step in their respective recoveries.

The Whites are in danger of getting into a genuine relegation scrap, but Ayling’s [leadership](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/luke-ayling-leeds-united-bielsa-19170842) and Bamford’s end product – he [scored 17 league goals](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/109670/History/Patrick-Bamford) in 2020/21 –  have the potential to turn their season around.

***In other news, three Leeds players struggled in the draw with Brighton. Find out who they are [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-raphinha-firpo-harrison-brighton/).***