Leeds: Patrick Bamford WILL make his long-awaited return for crunch clash with Aston Villa

Patrick Bamford WILL make his long-awaited return for Leeds in their crunch clash with Aston Villa following injury-ravaged campaign in a massive boost for new boss Jesse Marsch

  • Patrick Bamford will make his long-awaited return from injury on Thursday
  • Leeds face Aston Villa at home and Bamford ‘will play for sure’, says Marsch
  • Bamford has been ravaged by injuries this season, featuring just eight times
  • But having overcome back-to-back injuries, Leeds star striker is set to return
  • It’s a massive boost for new boss Marsch ahead of his first home game in charge 

Patrick Bamford will make his long-awaited return from injury on Thursday night with new boss Jesse Marsch looking to his star striker to help steer Leeds to safety.

The England international has been out since injuring his hamstring celebrating his last-minute equaliser against Brentford at the start of December.

That 22-minute cameo was in itself his first appearance since he damaged his ankle in September, and his latest spell on the sidelines was extended after he developed a new foot problem in January.

Patrick Bamford will make his long-awaited return from injury for Leeds United on Thursday

Bamford, though, has now been declared fit to make a comeback and will be on the bench for Marsch’s first home match in charge against Aston Villa.

‘Patrick will play for sure,’ said the American head coach. ‘He won’t start but he will be ready from the bench and we are excited to have him back in the team. I think he can give us a real boost.

‘He’s a positive guy, he comes with the energy, he works really hard. The effect he’ll have in the group I think will be relatively massive.

‘We need to make sure that we handle his return in a way that only gets him stronger and stronger and better and better.’

Bamford has been out since injuring his hamstring celebrating his last-minute equaliser against Brentford at the start of December

Bamford has been out since injuring his hamstring celebrating his last-minute equaliser against Brentford at the start of December

The England star had only just returned from an ankle injury in what was a huge blow for Leeds

The England star had only just returned from an ankle injury in what was a huge blow for Leeds

Bamford scored 17 Premier League goals last season and Leeds have toiled in his absence this term. 

They are winless in seven matches and, as well as their well-documented defensive troubles, they have failed to score in four of their last five games, leaving them just two points above the drop zone.

Marsch was encouraged by his team’s performance in last Saturday’s defeat by Leicester, which was his first match since replacing Marcelo Bielsa as manager last week. 

But he is now looking forward to sampling the Elland Road atmosphere and hoping the home fans can inspire Leeds to a much-needed win.

His return is a huge boost for new boss Jesse Marsch ahead of his first home game in charge

His return is a huge boost for new boss Jesse Marsch ahead of his first home game in charge

‘I’m really excited,’ said Marsch. ‘I’ve heard from multiple people, friends of mine that are coaches of other teams and our players, that that this is, if not the best, one of the best environments and most loud and energetic and supportive fanbases in the League.

‘We need them. I think everybody in the city knows that we need them. This is a group effort, man. We have a one-team city here and let’s use it to make sure that we are creating momentum.

‘The fans have come to a really good balance of understanding that they can love Marcelo Bielsa and still support the new coach and the new direction of the team. I’m very comfortable with that.’

One of the talking points to come out of Marsch’s first match at Leicester was the group huddle he orchestrated in the centre circle immediately after the final whistle.

Bamford's season has been ravaged by injury having picked up an ankle problem in September

Bamford’s season has been ravaged by injury having picked up an ankle problem in September

‘The attention around this small little conversation with the group I find, frankly, hilarious and ridiculous,’ Marsch added.

‘Maybe people don’t see that much here but I’ve done that quite a few times in my career, in positive or negative moments.

‘It’s about making sure we are able to process as a group what just happened. The immediate feedback in that situation was important.

‘I realised maybe I could do it in the locker room, but maybe I’ll do it on the pitch again. Who cares?’