Leeds United news: Pundit issues ‘massive’ verdict on Patrick Bamford starting v Norwich
Alan Hutton has claimed Leeds United will have to “be patient” with Patrick Bamford’s return to action despite their ongoing relegation battle.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 28-year-old will be “desperate” to return to the Whites’ starting lineup.
Bamford made his first Leeds United appearance since early December last night (10 March), coming off the bench to play 32 minutes in a 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa.
The one-time England international had made just one appearance since mid-September prior to last night’s defeat, after being sidelined through ankle and hamstring injuries.
Hutton insisted the striker’s minutes will need to be “drip-fed” despite the magnitude of Sunday’s (13 March) fixture against fellow relegation candidates Norwich City.
“He was out for a long time,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“It’s very easy for Leeds fans to see Bamford coming onto the pitch and think: ‘That’s our season saved. He’ll come in and score all the goals we need.’
“It’s not quite that simple. It takes time to get back to the required level of fitness and sharpness. They’ll have to be patient.
“He looks like the type of guy who looks after himself even when injured, and he’ll be absolutely desperate to get back to playing 90 minutes and scoring regularly to help his team out.
“They’ll have to manage his minutes and drip-feed him in. They’ll be over the moon to have him back, he was a massive miss.”
Leeds United are without a win in eight games following the loss against Villa.
The Whites host Norwich on Sunday knowing a win could take them five points clear of the relegation zone.
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