---
title: "Leeds: Patrick Bamford has outside chance of making matchday squad for Palace clash"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/phil-hay-patrick-bamford-team-news-leeds-palace/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-11-30T11:10:30Z"
modified: "2021-11-30T11:10:30Z"
---

# Leeds: Patrick Bamford has outside chance of making matchday squad for Palace clash

**Patrick Bamford has a slim chance of making the substitutes’ bench for Leeds United’s clash with Crystal Palace tonight, according to Phil Hay.**

### The Lowdown: Bamford makes injury return

The 28-year-old hasn’t featured for the Whites since the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United back in September, having picked up an [ankle injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/verletzungen/spieler/183334) that night.

Bamford made a pleasing return to action on Monday night, however, playing all 90 minutes of Leeds under-23s’ [3-2 defeat](https://www.leedsunited.com/news/academy/29122/u23s-live-updates-manchester-city-v-leeds-united) against Manchester City.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side host Crystal Palace in the Premier League tonight, and while a place in the squad isn’t necessarily expected for the striker, there is an outside possibility that it may still happen.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″\]

### The Latest: Hay hints at squad place for Bamford

That’s according to Hay, who revealed in a Q&A for [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2985301/2021/11/29/leeds-fans-discuss-the-palace-game-with-our-reporter-phil-hay/) that Bamford has a chance of featuring at Selhurst Park, although Sunday’s home clash with Brentford looks more likely

When asked by a Leeds supporter about a possible return to first team action for the striker, the journalist replied: “It wouldn’t be like Bielsa to launch him straight into the team tonight (it’s possible he might be on the bench but unlikely I’d say). So Brentford might be his time.”

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

### The Verdict: Huge news for Leeds

While it would still be a surprise if Bamford played any role for Leeds tonight, that Hay is even discussing the prospect of him making the bench is a huge boost in the grander scheme of things.

It suggests that the Leeds star is now close to a comeback as Bielsa’s men attempt to pull clear of the relegation zone during a [hectic run of December fixtures](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leeds-united/scores-fixtures/2021-12).

Goals have been hard to come by in Bamford’s absence, with the Whites [scoring just seven times in eight league matches](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leeds-united/scores-fixtures/2021-11?filter=results) without him after he struck [17](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/183334) last season, highlighting how vital it will be to have him back.

***In other news, Phil Hay has given his thoughts on a potential Leeds signing. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-phil-hay-john-swift-bielsa/).***