£70k-p/w Leeds ace who’s missed last 12 games returns to training after injury

With their sights set on Championship promotion, Leeds United are set to receive the boost of a returning star who hasn’t played since the start of the year in an injury-ridden campaign.

Leeds injury news

They may sit top of the Championship, but that doesn’t mean Leeds have had it easy on the injury front throughout the current campaign. At the beginning of the campaign, Daniel Farke was forced to turn towards the likes of Ao Tanaka earlier than planned due to an injury crisis in midfield. To his credit, the former Bundesliga midfielder has thrived at the heart of a side gunning for silverware and become one of their star men.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast at the end of the Championship campaign and everything still to play for, there’s no doubt that Farke will be keen to welcome key men back to his strongest side and get over the line in the race for promotion.

It looks as though the German is set to get his wish on that front too, having told reporters that Patrick Bamford is now back in training and on course for a return at Leeds for the first time in 12 games.

The former Norwich City manager said in his press conference when asked about potential returns: “Everyone who was available for the last game is available for this game, which is definitely good news. All were able to recover from knocks from the last game.

“Some other good news is Patrick Bamford was able to take part in team training this week. He was out for nine weeks, but he was able to handle the load and that’s good news because he is making good progress.

“It’s also good news on Ethan Ampadu and Max Wober and we are still hopeful we will have them the other side of the international break. We are hopeful for the run in.”

Bamford could provide unexpected boost

Whilst some may be quick to write Bamford off after a campaign full of injuries and a lack of goals, he could yet provide a surprising boost for Farke’s side at a crucial time. Of course, this isn’t the star striker who reached double figures in the Premier League, but he is still a player who should add vital depth and extensive experience in the Leeds dressing room.

Almost into the last year of his current £70,000-a-week

contract, it remains to be seen whether Bamford will find himself at Elland Road as they potentially step into the Premier League. For now, his focus should be on making his mark on a season which has threatened to run away from him.

Having missed the last 12 games, the Whites shouldn’t rush the forward back to action as soon as Portsmouth, but games such as Queens Park Rangers next weekend could be one to keep an eye on if he continues to step up his recovery.