---
title: "Leeds: Whelan reacts to possible Bamford boost"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-whelan-reacts-to-possible-bamford-boost/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-12-30T08:10:08Z"
modified: "2021-12-30T08:10:08Z"
---

# Leeds: Whelan reacts to possible Bamford boost

**Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan believes having Patrick Bamford available against Burnley ‘could be massive’, [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-in-line-for-massive-bamford-boost-after-behind-the-scenes-reveal-whelan/) report.**

### The Lowdown: Bamford in line for return?

Bamford has endured an injury-hit campaign so far this season, making just [six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/leistungsdaten/spieler/183334) Premier League appearances.

He made a brief return from an [ankle](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/leistungsdaten/spieler/183334) problem at the beginning of December but suffered a [hamstring](https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/29175/leeds-united-injury-update) issue after celebrating his stoppage-time equaliser against Brentford.

However, Marcelo Bielsa [refused](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-press-conference-live-22507766) to rule Bamford out of the scheduled Liverpool game on Boxing Day after the [4-1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59618480) defeat to Arsenal.

On that basis, it seems as if Bamford could be in line for a return to the squad for their next fixture now with even more recovery time under his belt, with Whelan giving his thoughts.

### The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Whelan, who contributes for [BBC Radio Leeds](https://icdb.tv/stats/4247/Noel-Whelan), was talking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-in-line-for-massive-bamford-boost-after-behind-the-scenes-reveal-whelan/) about the club’s injury issues.

He name-checked Bamford when talking about injuries, labelling a possible return against Burnley on January 2 as ‘massive’.

> “It’s been unfortunate.
>
> “It’s given an opportunity to those players who were on the fringes of coming back, like Bamford.
>
> “They’ve had that bit of extra time to get themselves right and be part of the squad for these games. That could be massive. Especially for the Burnley game.
>
> “It’s no secret that we’ve missed a lot of players over this Christmas period. It will be nice to get back to a nearly fully-fit squad for the remainder of the season.”

### The Verdict: Needed…

Leeds’ options from the bench against Arsenal were all [Under-23](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59618480) players, with youngsters Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt even starting.

Bielsa is down to the bare bones, especially with the recent Covid-19 outbreak at the club, so having Bamford available against Burnley, even if it is from the bench, could be huge.

Hopefully the 28-year-old is just one of a number of players to make returns at Elland Road on Sunday, and who knows, the club could look back at the recent postponements against Liverpool and Aston Villa as a blessing in disguise.

***In other news: [Leeds ‘set’ to sign attacker in January who has the same agent as Forshaw – journalist.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/?p=383955&preview=true)***