Leeds striker Bamford set to be out injured for at least six weeks
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks because of an injury to the sole of his foot.
The 28-year-old was withdrawn midway through the first half in the 3-2 win at Wolves before the international break, having only recently returned from a foot complaint.
Whilehewillnotrequirean operation, Leeds announced
Bamford faces missing anothersizeablechunkoftheseason afterrupturinghisplantarfascia.
Bamford was Leeds’ topscorerontheirPremierLeague returnlastseasonwith17goals in 38 games, but he has featured in just nine of the club’s 30 matches this term due to hamstring and ankle problems.
Leeds’ head of medicine and performance Rob Price said: “(Bamford) has played with a plantar fascia injury for the last 12 months.
“Despite treatment and a prolonged period of rehabilitation, the injury has progressed from a partial tear to a full rupture.
“Injuries to the plantar fascia are notoriously difficult to manage, but all concerned are confident that he will make a full recovery from this injury in good time.
“What (Bamford) needs is a period of rest and rehabilitation to allow his body to fully recover.”
The news is a major blow for Leeds, who boosted their survival hopes last time out by coming from 2-0 down at Molineux to win as they moved seven points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
However, there was more welcome news as they confirmed captain Liam Cooper, fellowdefenderDiegoLlorente and midfielder Kalvin Phillips had all returned to training.
The trio are, therefore, targetingsomeinvolvementwhen SouthamptonvisitEllandRoad next Saturday.
Raphinha is also back in training after, illness while Mateusz Klich has returned to thesquadaftercompletingthe concussion return-to-training protocols.
*AFC Wimbledon have confirmed the departure of head coach Mark Robinson by mutual consent.
The 1-0 home defeat by Cambridge on Saturday was a fifth straight loss and extended their winless run to 20 Sky Bet League One games.
The Dons, knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Boreham Wood, were left fourth from bottom and the club felt a change was now needed.