Leeds United star keen to see Bristol City target stay at the Whites despite Arsenal recall rumours

Bristol City’s hopes of seeing Eddie Nketiah at Ashton Gate this season have taken a hit, with fellow Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford saying the club need him during their promotion push.

Nketiah was set to join City in the summer transfer window but made a late change of decision to join Marcelo Bielsa’s project when Leeds came calling.

Life in Yorkshire hasn’t gone to plan for the Arsenal loanee, he has only clocked 467 minutes of game time in all competitions this season and is yet to start a Championship game.

Despite his lack of game time, fellow Leeds striker Patrick Bamford has backed up the importance of keeping Nketiah at the club for the remainder of the season.

Patrick Bamford (Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

He said: "I think it is crucial because the Championship is a really demanding league.  

"There are times where there are three games in a week, it's going to be tough and you're going to need those other options to bring on, and sometimes legs get heavy, sometimes the game might demand different things, so it is important to have options.”

A lack of minutes on the pitch hasn’t meant a lack of goals for Nketiah, who has managed five goals in all competitions this season, meaning he scores every 94 minutes.

It is well documented that Bielsa has Leeds playing a demanding brand of high-press football. Last season they were top of the Championship at Christmas but dropped down into the play-offs before letting a lead slip in their play-off semi-final with Derby County.

Many put their demise down to fatigue in the later stages of the season, so Leeds will know a bigger squad could be key for them achieving promotion this time out.

"We haven't had a full squad for a long-sustained period, so it is going to be good when everybody's firing”, said Bamford.

Although aware of his importance, Bamford knows Leeds can’t rely on Nketiah’s presence for their promotion hopes, he said:

“To be honest, I know that even if Eddie wasn't here, I can't lay off it; I want to get promoted, all the boys want to get promoted and it is the aim this year.

"I feel like that if I took my foot off the pedal, I would not be giving it my all to get promoted. So, for me, whether Eddie is here or not, I have got to give it 110%." 

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Bristol City are keen to add personnel in January, and they are keen to bring two strikers to the club. If Eddie Nketiah does get recalled by his parent club Arsenal, Bristol City are thought to be at the front of the queue to sign him in January.