Leeds United's Patrick Bamford during the warm up
Leeds United are unsure when Patrick Bamford will return from his latest injury setback, Adam Pope has reported.
The Lowdown: Groin surgery
The 29-year-old has missed 31 games since the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign due to ankle, hamstring and foot problems.
He now appears to have a groin issue and underwent surgery earlier this month, missing the club’s training camp in Spain as a result.
Reports stated that the procedure went well, and Bamford was expected to return to training before the New Year, although he missed the 2-1 friendly win against Real Sociedad on Friday.
The Latest: Pope’s update
Leeds assistant boss Rene Maric was on media duties following the win against the La Liga side. He answered a question regarding Bamford’s condition, admitting that he wasn’t sure when the striker will return.
Pope relayed the news via Twitter late on Friday night, stating: “It’s not clear on how soon Bamford will be back, says Maric.”
The Verdict: Striker desperately needed
Bamford hasn’t scored a competitive goal in 2022 and can’t seem to remain fit for any consistent period of time, so it is vital that the club land a new centre-forward in the January transfer window.
Rodrigo has stepped up to the mark with nine goals in 13 Premier League games, while youngster Joe Gelhardt is also capable of leading the line.
However, you’d expect that Elland Road officials will be evaluating Bamford’s long-term future due to his injury problems, so all eyes may well be on recruiting a proven first-team forward over the coming weeks.
About the Author
