Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has revealed that Patrick Bamford will play against Aston Villa on Thursday night, but he will start on the bench.
The 28-year-old has endured a frustrating season due to ankle and hamstring injuries and has been restricted to only eight appearances across all competitions, featuring just once since September.
However, the striker returned to the substitutes' bench for last weekend's 1-0 loss at Leicester City and Marsch has provided a positive update on the striker's situation, confirming that he will play against Villa.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Marsch said: "Patrick will play tomorrow, for sure, he won't start but he'll be ready to play from the bench.
"We're excited to have him back in the team and he'll give us a real boost. When we were contemplating his return and what we wanted his work to look like, the physical team told me about his loading over the last six months.
"He hasn't trained often or played much. It's the reason why I was hesitant against Leicester. We had more to lose than gain in that moment. Even from a personality perspective, he's a positive guy who works hard, the effect he'll have on the group will be relatively massive and we have to handle his return in a way that ensures he gets better and better."
Marsch has also revealed that Adam Forshaw and Diego Llorente could both feature on Thursday, while Leo Hjelde underwent successful knee surgery last week and will been sidelined for "weeks and not months", unlike Tyler Roberts who is ruled out for the next three months following hamstring surgery.
"[Forshaw and Llorente] are both possibilities from the start and close to 100%. Adam said he has not felt this good for a long time. Diego had a muscle injury that kept him out (against Leicester)," the American added.
"[Hjelde] had surgery last Wednesday, the immediate feedback was not so severe and that they trimmed up his knee really well. It looks like the recovery could be a matter of weeks and not months."
Marsch also provided a positive update on Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips, who both had hamstring surgery earlier this year, with the former taking part in training yesterday and making "really good progress", while the latter is scheduled to return after the international break.
Leeds, who currently sit two points above the relegation zone, will be looking to end a five-game losing run in the Premier League when they lock horns with Villa at Elland Road.
Oliver Thomas
