Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa has discussed the fitness of Patrick Bamford and Izzy Brown, as they near returns to first-team action.
After spells on the sidelines through injury, the duo both played, and scored, in Leeds Under-23s 6-3 win over Burnley on Tuesday.
Summer signing Bamford netted a hat-trick on his first start since September, whilst Brown was also on the scoresheet and completed 90 minutes.
Promotion chasing Leeds visit Bolton this afternoon, and Bielsa admits the duo’s midweek performances were positive steps ahead of his side’s busy festive schedule.
“The situation of Izzy Brown and Patrick Bamford are different ones. Patrick was not available for four months and Izzy didn’t play last year. As you can easily understand, the process of Izzy can’t be the same as Patrick, because he has been unavailable three times longer than Patrick,” Bielsa said at his pre-match press conference.
“Patrick scored three goals on Tuesday and for a number 9 that is a very important thing.
“He is available to be a starter or play as a substitute. I don’t think Brown is ready yet, every time he plays and continues activities, he makes positive steps to be inside the group.”