The Athletic's Phil Hay has confirmed that Leeds United will be without Patrick Bamford for the Premier League clash against West Ham on Saturday afternoon.

What's the story?

Amid a difficult start in the top flight which has seen Marcelo Bielsa's side lie just above the relegation zone, it appears that they've been handed yet another damaging blow to their chances of picking up a much-needed victory.

Writing on Twitter, Hay said: "From Bielsa's press conference - Bamford, Koch and Llorente all out of Saturday game against West Ham with injuries. Struijk suspended. Decisions still to be made on Raphinha, Harrison and Ayling. #lufc"

Fans will be gutted

Bamford was an absolute sensation in the Premier League last season for the Whites, banging in 17 goals and providing another eight assists in 38 games.

In fact, only Spurs talisman Harry Kane outscored the Leeds star in the top flight in terms of English players, while only the Three Lions captain, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish provided more assists than him from the English contingent.

Speaking earlier this year, Match of the Day pundit and former Arsenal marksman Ian Wright waxed lyrical about the striker, and even gave credit to the Elland Road fanbase for the role they've had in Bamford's successes.

He said: "You look at what Bamford has been through, six loan moves, his upbringing, private school stuff, Palace fans complaining about the way he runs – he has been through so much. People told him he would never be a Premier League striker.

"But Leeds fans deserve credit for sticking by him, even when you looked at some of those games and he did miss some easy chances. The manager stuck with him, and it will be difficult to find a manager with as much faith in Bielsa."

Given the kind of importance that Bamford has in this Leeds side when it comes to scoring the bulk of their goals, missing him for today's game against West Ham is a huge blow for Bielsa.

Leeds fans will surely be worried about who will step up to the plate in his absence at centre-forward, especially with Raphinha and Harrison also doubtful.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United starlet is "really pushing hard now"...