Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan says he feels "sorry" for Patrick Bamford as the striker faces the risk of losing his starting spot due to the form of fellow forward Eddie Nketiah .
Bamford joined Leeds from Championship rivals Middlesbrough in July 2018 for £7m and saw his maiden campaign at Elland Road largely ruled by injury woes, forcing him to miss around six months of the campaign.
But after a return to full fitness over pre-season and three goals in his first three league appearances this season, Bamford looked poised to fulfil his hefty transfer fee this season. However, just one goal in his last four appearances and the form of Arsenal loanee Nketiah could see Bamford lose his place as the Whites' first-choice striker.
Since arriving on loan from Arsenal last month, Nketiah, 20, has bagged four goals in six games, including a vital strike in last Sunday's win over Barnsley at Oakwell.
So, with Nketiah starting to hit form at just the right time, he has a great chance of leapfrogging Bamford in the race to be Marcelo Bielsa's preferred striker.
But Whelan says he would feel "sorry" for Bamford if he was to be dropped, as he explained speaking to Football Insider: "Patrick has played well this season and has done a lot of great work for the team, but strikers get paid to score goals.
"This is where Leeds need to make sure the load is shared up front. Patrick's been starting all the games, and Nketiah has been coming on as a sub, but that's going to change. Nketiah is too hot to leave out.
"I feel sorry for Patrick - he's doing nothing wrong. You could see the disappointment in his face when he was subbed against Barnsley.
"Having two top strikers is a good problem to have.
"Over the season, injuries and suspensions are going to happen, and it's vital they're fit, firing and pushing each other hard."
