Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips believes Leeds United will manage without the injured centre forward Jean-Kevin Augustin and backed Patrick Bamford to lead the Whites to promotion.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are currently top of the Championship and are a point ahead of West Bromwich Albion, and have a real chance of securing Premier League status for the first time since 2004.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay previously revealed that Augustin, who joined from the Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in January on loan, will miss the rest of the season after a recurrence of his hamstring injury that kept him sidelined earlier in the campaign.
This could mean that Patrick Bamford will continue to lead the Whites’ line, as he did during his team’s 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town before the Championship was temporarily postponed.
Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips believes that Leeds will cope perfectly fine without Augustin as they have done already this season.
Are you worried for Augustin?
Yep! Fearing the worst...
No, he will be fine.
“I do not think there is any extra pressure on Bamford,” he said. “He has dealt with the pressure fairly well up to now.
“His work rate and his all-round play is fantastic but there has been criticism fired his way because a lot of people would like to see him chip in with a few more goals. But he looks like he deals with the pressure and puts 100% in every week.
“The whole team has managed without Augustin until now and they will get over the line with Patrick leading the attack. He has done a good job so far.”
The 22-year-old has only featured as a substitute three times for Leeds and has played a total of 49 minutes for the table-toppers.
It is unfortunate for Augustin, indeed. But as long as Marcelo Bielsa’s side continue to win games, his fitness will be the least of the Elland Road faithful’s priorities.
This could mean that he could quickly return to Germany sooner than he may have hoped for. Phillips is right. The team is on the right trajectory and Augustin has not been a part of that. With all due respect, he won’t be missed.