Leeds United told to ‘draw a line’ under Patrick Bamford after ‘upsetting’ update – Whelan
Leeds United must “draw a line” under Patrick Bamford’s season and make sure he is fully fit for the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
That is according to Whites ambassador Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about an “upsetting” period in the 28-year-old’s career.
Leeds United announced on 27 March that Bamford has ruptured his plantar fascia after struggling with the foot injury throughout this season.
Head of Medicine and Performance Rob Price revealed the centre-forward needs a “period of rest and rehabilitation to allow his body to recover.”
Speaking to Sky Sports last Thursday (31 March), Bamford said he almost “forced” himself to play through the injury to “help the team”.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Russell Edge for his assessment of the latest, Whelan said:
“The worst thing you can do as a football player is nurse an injury while you are still playing. You will never be 100 per cent.
“It is clear that we have rushed him back too soon at times this season. It has been frustrating because we need him. We need a number nine, a striker who brings what he brings to the side.
“Now is the time to get him 100 per cent healthy. We cannot keep stopping and starting for Bamford. It will be upsetting for him mentally. It is a really difficult to recover mentally from stopping and starting with all of these niggles and injuries.
“It is the time to draw a line under it. We hope he will get back to full fitness. If we see him again this season it is a bonus but the focus should be Bamford in 2022-23.”
In other news, a pundit has claimed Leeds United may have already found their replacement for Raphinha after source’s update.