Adam Pope believes Leeds United may be without another player for Friday’s critical trip to Queens Park Rangers.
Leeds are pushing for automatic promotion.
The Whites now hold the Championship’s second automatic promotion berth and will try to put additional pressure on third-place Ipswich Town with another win away to QPR.
Following Monday’s 4-3 success over Middlesbrough, Daniel Farke’s side will go four points ahead of The Tractor Boys with a win at Loftus Road, however Kieran McKenna’s side will have two games in hand.
Bamford struggled during the first half of the current Championship season, scoring seven of his eight goals between January and March. He scored again on Monday against Middlesbrough, and Farke may have hoped that was the start of another goal streak.
With Leicester City at the top of the league, it appears that it will be a shootout for second place, with Leeds facing Southampton on the last day at Elland Road. Everything points to a spectacular end to the 46-game season, but Leeds and Farke have a new injury concern before of the match against QPR.
Leeds team news vs. QPR
Winger Dan James has already been ruled out of the game after suffering an injury late on at the Riverside. Patrick Bamford, a striker, is also in doubt. Pope confirmed Farke’s pre-match press conference, stating that the forward is a “major doubt” owing to a “bruised knee”.
The number nine also scored a stunning goal against Peterborough United in the FA Cup earlier this year, earning Farke’s plaudits.
“The entire world will congratulate him on a world-class goal. There are no other words for this. I’m glad and delighted for him because he deserves it. But for me, it’s more about him regaining his fitness and, more importantly, his confidence. It is critical that he works for the team, is good at pressing, holds the ball, and links up well.
“It would have been vital if he had grabbed a rebound from two yards, because goals are always valuable for a striker’s confidence. Of course, if he scores at a world-class level, he will feel even better.
However, if Bamford is ruled out, Farke may have to turn to Joel Piroe or start youngster Mateo Joseph, who has impressed with a brace against Chelsea and an equaliser against Watford in recent months.
However, if Bamford is ruled out, Farke may have to turn to Joel Piroe or start youngster Mateo Joseph, who has impressed with a brace against Chelsea and an equaliser against Watford in recent months.
