Phil Hay has dropped a worrying injury update concerning Leeds United centre-forward Patrick Bamford.

What's the latest?

In comments made on a recent Q&A on The Athletic, the Leeds United correspondent hinted that, after being left out of Jesse Marsch's 20-man matchday squad to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, the 28-year-old may not be able to make a return to fitness before the crucial trip to Brentford this weekend.

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Regarding the England international's absence at Elland Road, Hay said: "No Patrick Bamford in the 20. Will be Brentford for him, if at all."

Leeds supporters will be sweating

While it is true that both 18th placed Burnley and 16th placed Everton have a game in hand on the Whites, the point gained from Pascal Struijk's late equaliser against the Seagulls will have undoubtedly given the Elland Road faithful hope that their side could well go on to pull off what would be a rather miraculous escape from the drop.

However, in order to do so, Leeds will need both Aston Villa on Thursday and Newcastle United on Sunday to do them a big favour against the Clarets, while the Whites simply must ensure that they take all three points home from Brentford Community Stadium this weekend - a task which will be made a great deal more difficult is Bamford is once again out.

Indeed, the £18m-rated forward has been a huge miss for Leeds this season, with the 28-year-old's two goals and two assists over nine Premier League appearances in 2021/22 being pale in comparison to his return of 17 goals and eight assists over 38 top-flight fixtures last season.

As such, it is clear to see just how big of a miss the £74k-per-week striker has been in the Leeds frontline this term, with the Englishman's availability for what is undoubtedly the Whites' most important game of the season sure to be something that will have both Marsch and supporters sweating throughout the week - as Bamford remaining sidelined would certainly come as a huge blow to Leeds' hopes of remaining a Premier League side in 2022/23.

AND in other news: Talks held: Leeds plot bid for £19.8m-rated "phenomenon", it's surely bye-bye Raphinha