NEWS FLASH: A loaned-out Leeds United player may be regretting his choice as more financial issues surface.

Patrick Bamford injury news emerges at Leeds United with ’emergency’ verdict on cards

Few Leeds United players have struggled with injury quite as much as Patrick Bamford in recent seasons, the Elland Road number nine has yet to feature for the Whites this season.

In his absence, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter have stepped up to make the forward positions in Daniel Farke’s side their own, while Joe Gelhardt has been the backup option on the bench and with the Whites’ finding the net 10 times in six games, Bamford’s absence hasn’t been too noticeable.

But having returned to training following his hamstring injury, the 30-year-old is closing in on his Leeds United return, although if all goes to plan, it may be a few more matches before he is back in the matchday squad.

Discussing the striker’s fitness, as quoted by Leeds Live (20 September) Farke said: “The games this week are coming a bit too soon for him after he was out for about eight weeks, but that’s good news and a major, major boost for us.

“When you are back in team training you are theoretically available but you must not forget that he’s been out for eight weeks. If there’s an emergency case or something like this, or we have a special idea, yes, he’s back in team training and could be available.”

It appears as though Farke would rather give the former Middlesbrough forward the chance to fully recover and gain his match fitness after almost two months out with injury, but should there be an “emergency case” Bamford may be thrown into the deep end.

Should one of Piroe, Gelhardt or Rutter pick up an injury either in training or Wednesday’s (20 September) match with Hull City, the striker could be quickly rushed back into the squad to provide senior cover from the bench for Saturday’s (23 September) match against Watford.

The Whites will have to be careful with how they use the 30-year-old, as previously he has been rushed back from injuries too quickly and ended up out for even longer periods.

Although Bamford has struggled for form in recent seasons, he will be a genuine asset to Leeds in the Championship, having scored 16 goals in his last season in England’s second tier.

Losing any of the forward options to injury would be incredibly disappointing for Leeds, but if that was then compounded by Bamford also extending his time on the sidelines, it could be a genuine disaster for Farke and his side.

This could change very quickly.

In other Leeds United news, Carlton Palmer has been left baffled by Leeds’ decision to offer Wilfried Gnonto a new deal