It was being reported on Sunday that Leeds United had suffered a double injury blow ahead of the New Year’s Day trip to Nottingham Forest in the first Championship clash of 2019 but how much of a blow is open for debate.
Striker Patrick Bamford being ruled out of the game won’t come as a surprise to anyone as he missed the Hull City clash before the turn of the New Year after picking up a knee knock in training – the 25-year-old last played in the Bolton match in mid-December – so I doubt this is a blow for manager Marcelo Bielsa in reality.
The Nottingham Post also reported that centre-half Liam Cooper will be missing from this one as well owing to him undergoing knee surgery following the victory over Sheffield United at the beginning of December.
Again, not a great surprise despite the headlines for the gaffer.
Whether Tyler Roberts plays a greater part in this one having come off the bench against Hull remains to be seen.
The injury situation should again improve as we move through January though.