Leeds United dealt huge Patrick Bamford blow with Joel Piroe ruled out
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has confirmed that Patrick Bamford is out for up to four weeks with a hamstring problem while Joel Piroe is set to miss this weekend's FA Cup tie with Harrogate Town due to muscle complaints.
The absence of the pair means Leeds could field Mateo Joseph as the striker, with Joe Gelhardt potentially bound for a loan move to Hull City. There has also been speculation that Bamford could leave Elland Road before the end of January.
However, the chances of this occurring have somewhat slimmed amid the news that the attacker might not be back before the end of January.
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Speaking at Thorp Arch on Tuesday, Farke said: “Sadly I have to confirm it’s a bit more of a serious injury. He suffered a hamstring injury in the Blackburn game.
“He will be out more or less for four weeks. It could last a few more days or even be a bit quicker depending on the rehab. There is a small chance at the end of January he will be back in team training.”
Meanwhile, top scorer Piroe will be rested against Harrogate with him “struggling with a few muscular problems”. Farke added: “ So we won’t risk him at the weekend, he won't be involved in the game against Harrogate, that’s what I can confirm.”
However, there have been a number of injury boosts, including for Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev, who have returned to training this week. Although Pascal Struijk only trained for the first time this week on Thursday, Farke labelled him as available.
“I have two [injury] concerns,” Farke went on to explain. “One is the injury to Patrick Bamford… and the second is the ongoing knee problems to Max Wober. This week he had to rest and wasn’t able to train yesterday.
"Today he had a session with less load. It’s important that Ethan [Ampadu] is back from injury and pretty stable.”
Farke went on to add that Karl Darlow will start ahead of Illan Meslier for Saturday's cup clash with Harrogate.
