Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has spoken about the selection dilemma in terms of who starts up front against Birmingham on Saturday.
The Argentinian confirmed that Kemar Roofe is fit and available after the knee injury he suffered against Swansea six weeks ago.
But Patrick Bamford, Leeds’ record signing since being relegated from the Premier League in 2004, has been enjoying his longest spell in the team after an injury-hampered first half of the campaign.
The former Middlesbrough striker has five goals in ten games since returning to the team, but has failed to find the back of the net in his last three starts. He also had a day to forget as he missed a penalty, whilst putting in an all-round flat display, as Leeds beat Millwall 3-2 last weekend.
Bamford , 25, was self-deprecating on social media afterwards and held up his hands with regard to his performance.
Waking up to 3 points deffs makes an off day personally easier to take we keep going. What a team @LUFC #alaw #mot
— Patrick Bamford (@Patrick_Bamford) March 31, 2019
Bielsa had briefly used the pair of them, with Bamford up front and Roofe in a number ten role, but they didn’t have long together before the latter suffered the knee injury.
That would be another option, but Bielsa has so far been reluctant to drop players that have been playing well in a long spell in the team, and Tyler Roberts has put in some strong displays of late.
The suggestion for Birmingham on Saturday is that it will be the same system, with Roofe reappearing off the bench if necessary.
Asked if he’s done anything to respond to Bamford’s form, Bielsa responded: “No, the work we have done with him is the normal work, but he is a very serious player who takes responsibility in all areas.
“He has a very strong mind. It’s true maybe he didn’t play the best game in the last game, but his level of motivation is continuing the same.”
On Roofe, Bielsa said: “It is a long time playing without Roofe, that is something that is true. He couldn’t play any games to help him with the under-23s. We will see how fast he can adapt to the team and we will see this through the training with the team.”
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