Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has now held his pre Bolton Wanderers press conference as we go in search of another three points away from home to keep the pressure on Norwich City in top spot in the Championship.
With 21 games played, only a point separates us from the Canaries as we hit the festive fixtures and we have opened up a nice gap on those sides in the Play-Off spots.
With injuries continuing to hit to one degree or another, there has been good news on that front and Izzy Brown got more match minutes under his belt in the recent Under 23 game against Burnley, and Patrick Bamford returned to the pitch for the first time since he picked up his issue.
Speaking to Leeds Live as he met with the media, Bielsa confirmed that although the 25-year-old summer capture had some way to go to regain full fitness, he was in a good enough condition to start if necessary and he felt hitting a hattrick earlier in the week was a fantastic boost for him.
“He scored three goals. For a number nine, it’s a very important thing. He is well and he is available for the team. Of course, to reach his previous level he needs more activity and more games, but he’s available to start or play as a substitute.”
Few would expect him to start, but being an option off the bench again can only be a positive for us.
Brown, on the other hand, isn’t ‘ready for the bench’ just yet as Bielsa wants him to get more training and games under his belt given how long he’s been out and that does make sense.