Leeds United is set to take on Plymouth Argyle away this Saturday, with head coach Daniel Farke providing the latest squad fitness news ahead of the clash.
Currently riding high in the Championship and sitting in second place, Leeds have been in formidable form, recently securing a victory over Plymouth in the FA Cup. Their performance since the new year has been particularly impressive, notching up seven consecutive wins, the latest being a dominant 4-0 victory against Swansea City.
However, Leeds may have to navigate their upcoming fixture without several key figures. Patrick Bamford, who was absent from the Swansea match due to a last-minute muscular injury, is also expected to miss the Plymouth game.
In his latest media briefing, Farke revealed Bamford’s situation, indicating the striker is battling a calf problem and is unlikely to make the squad for the next two matches, including the highly anticipated encounter with Leicester. Farke expressed optimism about Bamford’s return for either the forthcoming cup tie or the subsequent league match, stating, “Sadly he’s not available for this game. He has some problems with his calf. We don’t expect him to be out for too long. I don’t expect him to be available for Leicester. We think he will be back for the cup game or the league fixture after.”
Despite his recent injury woes, Bamford has been in exceptional form. The 30-year-old, who faced a challenging period with injuries, has revitalized his season since the turn of the year, scoring four important goals, including a memorable performance against Birmingham City on New Year’s Day.
Reflecting on his resurgence, Bamford acknowledged his recent performances as among his best in a considerable time, making his current injury all the more frustrating.
Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison recently highlighted Bamford’s significant contribution to Leeds, describing him as “outstanding” in their recent fixtures. With Bamford sidelined, Joel Piroe is expected to step in, giving Leeds confidence they can extend their winning streak this weekend.
