Jesse Marsch will award injury-hit Patrick Bamford his first appearance since December when Leeds United host Aston Villa at Elland Road this Thursday, according to Leeds Live.
Bamford has been out of action for the past three-months after suffering continued fitness problems this term. The striker sustained a hamstring issue while celebrating netting Leeds’ equaliser against Brentford, upon his return from three-months out with an ankle injury.
Former Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa continued to be without the Grantham-born star after the turn of the year, too. Bamford developed a foot injury during his rehabilitation, from which the 28-year-old only returned to a matchday squad for the first time last Saturday.
Marsch chose against introducing Bamford from the bench during his debut game as Leeds boss against Leicester City last Saturday. But he will unleash the attacker in some capacity when Aston Villa make the trip to West Yorkshire in the Premier League on Thursday night.
Bamford’s return to the field will be a huge boost for Leeds as Marsch strives to keep the Elland Road outfit in the top-flight. The Whites have lost each of their last five games and are without a win in seven. They have also only won twice in 12 since Bamford last played.
Marsch to unleash injury-hit Bamford when Leeds host Aston Villa
Leeds’ lack of results without Bamford ultimately led to Bielsa’s departure, having also only scored 14 goals in 12 games since the £10m ace struck a stoppage-time equaliser against Brentford during the injury-hit striker’s sole 22 Premier League minutes since September.
Marsch should now get his first look at what Bamford offers Leeds when they host Aston Villa. The forward was the focal point of Bielsa’s plans and pulled top-flight defences apart to make space for teammates, on route to recording 17 goals and eight assists last season.
Bamford also drew praise from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as he proved doubters wrong. He claimed, via the Metro: “People said, ‘Leeds need a proper goalscorer, Bamford is not good enough’. I’m so happy that he could prove them wrong, he’s an exceptional player.”
Injuries, however, have kept Bamford to just seven appearances across all competitions this season ahead of making a potential first outing under Marsch when Leeds host Aston Villa.
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