Marcelo Bielsa has said he is hopeful that Patrick Bamford will be fit for Leeds United's top-of-the-table showdown against West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day.
The Whites will travel to The Hawthorns on New Year's Day as Championship leaders following the dramatic 5-4 win at Birmingham City on Sunday with Bielsa issuing an update on his leading scorer after the St Andrew's victory.
"I cannot say yes, but I think he's going to be with us," said the Whites boss.
Bamford travelled with the Leeds squad but was not included in the matchday 18, suffering from a dead leg.
He was replaced by Eddie Nketiah, who was making the first Championship start of his Whites loan spell, as Bamford's record of starting every league game so far this term ended.
Patrick is out of today’s squad with a dead leg. He’s expected to be available for our game against West Brom pic.twitter.com/jKoffcmT22
— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 29, 2019
"Patrick is out of today’s squad with a dead leg," the club posted on Twitter prior to the game. "He’s expected to be available for our game against West Brom."
The 26-year-old, United's top scorer with 10 goals, is expected return for the top of the table clash with Slaven Bilic's Baggies on New Year's Day.
New face up here in the press box today. Teams on their way out... #lufc https://t.co/21uXAa2eQ2 pic.twitter.com/KlJksy7LKI
— Joe Mewis (@joemewis) December 29, 2019
Bamford would end up taking up a position in the press box at St Andrew's where he was on co-commentary duty on LUTV.
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