Leeds United star Patrick Bamford could potentially be left out of the team to face Fulham this weekend, according to former Whites striker Noel Whelan.
The Lowdown: Huge game for Leeds
Jesse Marsch's side face a massive Premier League game on Sunday afternoon as the Cottagers make the trip north to Elland Road.
Only a win will do for Leeds, especially in terms of the manager's future, with Thursday's performance in the 2-0 defeat away to Leicester City simply not good enough, as the travelling faithful vocally made clear.
Bamford was one of many Whites players who wasn't at his best at the King Power Stadium, and his place in the starting line-up could now be in jeopardy.
The Latest: Bamford could be dropped
That's certainly the view of ex-Leeds striker Whelan, who told Football Insider that Rodrigo could replace the 29-year-old against Fulham.
The former BBC radio pundit said when discussing possible team changes for today:
"There’s also a case for Rodrigo to come in. I don’t think Bamford did enough against Leicester – he certainly didn’t look as good as he did against Arsenal.
"There’s a case for a few changes against Fulham, for sure."
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The Verdict: Would be a fair call
Bamford has been a shadow of the player who shone so brightly back in 2020/21, when he scored 17 league goals and was described as 'exceptional' by Jurgen Klopp.
He is yet to register a single goal or assist in eight league outings so far this season, and it could make sense to replace him with Rodrigo on Sunday.
The Spaniard has four league strikes to his name for the campaign in nine top-flight matches, which suggests that the 31-year-old could carry more of an attacking threat in what is a must-win encounter for Marsch and Leeds.