Marcelo Bielsa admits he is worried about Patrick Bamford after admitting he does not know when he will be able to return for Leeds.
England striker Bamford has played just 22 minutes of football for Leeds since September 17 because of ankle and foot problems.
He is currently sidelined because he has a pain in his foot and Bielsa says he has not been able to start running again.
Leeds have sorely missed Bamford’s goals presence up front, particularly in their last defeat at home to Newcastle, and Bielsa says he is concerned by his situation.
“He has not played for 15 games now,” said the Leeds boss. “How can I not worry?
“Bamford has not improved. He continues to have a problem at the bottom of his foot and he hasn’t started jogging, so his situation continues the same way.
“Bamford has an injury where you cannot predict when he will return because it depends on the pain going away so that he can start jogging.
“Since he got the injury, the pain has not gone away.
“Of course he is going through the necessary treatment for the injury he has.”
Bielsa reported better news on the injury front ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Aston Villa and Adam Forshaw Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell are all available.
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His only absentees are Bamford, skipper Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Junior Firpo.
Bielsa was positive about their recoveries and Firpo should be available for the weekend and Phillips and Cooper by the start of next month.
He says Cooper and Phillips are near the end of their rehabilitation periods after having knee and hamstring surgery respectively.
“Shackleton, Cresswell and Forshaw are all healthy now,” said Bielsa.
“The four players still out are Firpo, who is in the final stages of his recovery and should be available for the weekend, Phillips and Cooper, who by the beginning of March should be fully recovered, and Bamford.”
Phillips and Raphinha were wanted by West Ham and the Hammers claim they had two £50million bids for the pair rejected.
Bielsa welcomed Leeds’ refusal to entertain offers for two of their best players and saw this as a positive show of commitment from chairman Andrea Radrizzani and his board.
He was also heartened by Leeds’ £20million offer for US international Brenden Aaronson, even though it was rejected by Red Bull Salzburg.
He refused to be disappointed by Leeds’ failure to land Aaronson or anyone else during the January transfer window and says director of football Victor Orta and the club did everything they could.
“It is very valuable that we were able to keep the players who were wanted by other clubs” he said.
“That in itself has an importance.
“With respect to no signings coming in, the ability to improve the squad was not there.
“The club made efforts and showed a willingness to invest more money. As a result, I can only value everything that has been done.”
