'He has a problem...' - Bielsa drops fresh injury update on 'rare' Leeds ace ahead of Everton

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa provided a further update on Patrick Bamford’s injury following the 3-3 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.

Bamford has been out for the majority of the current campaign, with his last start coming way back in September.

He briefly returned from an ankle problem against Brentford and scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser, however, he hasn’t featured since due to hamstring and foot problems.

Bielsa admitted he was worried about the 28-year-old prior to the draw with Steven Gerrard’s side and was once again quizzed on the forward ahead of the trip to Everton on Saturday.

Talking to the media after the game, relayed by the BBC, Bielsa says that Bamford ‘has a problem’ in his foot that has kept him from running.

The treatment he has been receiving hasn’t helped, labelling it as ‘impossible’ to put a timescale on his return.

“He has a problem in his foot which is preventing him from running due to the pain. He’s having treatment which isn’t taking the pain away at the moment.

“The first step for his recovery is that he is able to move. That hasn’t happened and it’s impossible to imagine when that’s going to happen.”

Even though Dan James starred as a centre-forward against Aston Villa on Wednesday, Bielsa could still do with having Bamford back as soon as possible.

He seems reluctant to use young striker Joe Gelhardt from the off, Tyler Roberts has scored just nine times in 105 games and Rodrigo appears to be a number 10 under Bielsa.

Therefore, having Bamford back, who Jurgen Klopp described as a player with ‘rare’ qualities, is absolutely essential to get an out and out focal point back in the team, especially after his 17-goal tally last season.

In other news: Lost the ball 65