Newcastle United handed Premier League boost as Leeds dealt fresh Patrick Bamford blow

Newcastle United have received a boost in their bid to secure Premier League safety as Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford’s long-suffering injury woes continue.

A recent nine-game unbeaten run is why Eddie Howe’s men currently have a sizable cushion between themselves and the bottom three. However, supporters will not feel entirely comfortable until the Magpies’ top-flight status is mathematically confirmed. Leeds United - who are looking for their third-straight win against Southampton this weekend - confirmed that their star striker has faced another setback on his road to recovery.

Bamford has only made nine league appearances this season and hobbled off during the Whites’ dramatic 3-2 victory against Wolves 10 days ago. The England international missed large chunks of the season with ankle and hamstring injuries but has now ruptured his plantar fascia - the tissue which supports the arch of the foot.

A Leeds statement read : “As all the stats show, Patrick has put his body on the line for Leeds United for a number of seasons, he 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.

"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.”

A six-week spell on the sidelines rules him out of Leeds’ clashes against Southampton, Watford, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Arsenal. Newcastle have already played Leeds twice this season but, with just two points separating the sides in the table, another Bamford injury could have a huge impact on