Leeds striker Patrick Bamford set for another spell on the sidelines

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford is set to miss the rest of the season after aggravating a foot injury.

The relegation-threatened club confirmed last night that the 28-year-old has ruptured his plantar fascia - the sole of his foot - and will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks.

Bamford was forced off after just 23 minutes in Leeds' last match, their vital 3-2 comeback win at Wolves, and was in tears as he sat back on the bench.

The England international had only just returned to action after injuring his hamstring celebrating his last-minute equaliser against Brentford at the start of December, and then picking up a foot problem in training.

Bamford also injured his ankle in September and has managed just nine Premier League appearances all season, with Leeds struggling in his absence.

'Patrick has played with a plantar fascia injury for the last 12 months and despite treatment and a prolonged period of rehabilitation, the injury has progressed from a partial tear to a full rupture,' said Leeds head of medicine Rob Price.

'As all sports medics know, injuries to the plantar fascia are notoriously difficult to manage, but all concerned are confident that he will make a full recovery from this injury in good time.

'What he needs is a period of rest and rehabilitation to allow his body to fully recover.'

Bamford scored 17 league goals last term - only Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes found the net more regularly in the top-flight.

This led to him earning his first England cap against Andorra in early September as the Three Lions cruised to a 4-0 victory at Wembley.

He has suffered a series of setbacks since, though, and Leeds will now have to secure their Premier League status for another year without him.

Bac