Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa concerned by Patrick Bamford’s continued absence

Marcelo Bielsa is concerned by Patrick Bamford’s lack of progress in his recovery from a foot problem but Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are nearing returns.

Leeds will play their first match since January 22 when they face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday, but the gap has not brought good news for Bamford.

The forward has managed only six league appearances so far this season, the last of which came in early December. Having recovered from a hamstring problem, he sustained a foot issue last month.

Bielsa said: “Bamford hasn’t improved. He continues with the problems at the bottom of his foot and he hasn’t started jogging, so his situation continues the same way.

“We can’t predict when he will return. Because it depends on the pain going away so he can start jogging again. Since the injury started, the pain hasn’t gone away. Of course, he is going through the necessary demanding treatments for the injury he has.”

Asked if he was concerned by Bamford’s continued absence, Bielsa added: “He hasn’t played for 15 games now. How can I not worry?”

Leeds’ campaign has been blighted by injuries but there is better news regarding key duo Phillips and Cooper, who have both been sidelined since suffering hamstring injuries in the draw with Brentford in early December.

Villa will come too soon but they could feature in the next couple of weeks, while Junior Firpo has also been out with a hamstring problem and may return against Everton at the weekend.

“Cooper and Phillips are in the final stages of their recovery from their operations,” said Bielsa. “Firpo is in the final stage of his recovery. He’ll be available next weekend or the following one.”

Jamie Shackleton, Adam Forshaw and Charlie Cresswell have all recovered