Patrick Bamford: Pundit raises ‘huge’ new injury fears after update on Leeds comeback
Alan Hutton has warned there is a “huge” chance of Patrick Bamford suffering a fresh injury blow if his game time is not managed at Leeds United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland defender insisted while Jesse Marsch will be “absolutely desperate” to play the 28-year-old, he is right to be cautious.
Bamford made his first start since September in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Norwich City but was replaced at halftime.
Speaking after the game (13 March), manager Marsch revealed Bamford “couldn’t go any more” after his 45-minute runout due to the “frenetic” pace of the match.
Hutton applauded the Leeds boss for playing it safe with the strike.
Discussing Bamford’s return, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “They’re absolutely desperate. It’s a difficult situation as well because you have to manage his minutes, you have to be careful with him.
“He’s been out for a long period of time. To just throw him in for 90 minutes, 90 minutes, there’s a huge opportunity there for him to break back down.
“They have to be careful but on the flip side of that, they need him playing. They need him near his best to try and score the goals to keep them in the league.
“It’s a difficult balancing act. I think that’s right to give him the minutes and then take him off. Protect him, keep him for the next game and then build.
“You need your top players playing at a high level to stay in this division. They will have to be careful with him.”
Bamford has only played 10 times across all competitions this season.
He has been sidelined by ankle, hamstring and heel problems.
In other news, pundit claims one Leeds United star may have played his last game for the club.