Marcelo Bielsa has been gifted a major double injury boost after two key Leeds United stars seemingly returned to training this week...

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Both striker Patrick Bamford and versatile centre-back Robin Koch have been filmed doing ball work at the club's Thorp Arch training base as they continue their recoveries from injury.

Bamford has been absent since the Whites' 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in mid-September with an ankle problem, whilst Koch has not been seen since the opening game of the season, a 5-2 defeat to Manchester United.

Key Leeds duo

The 28-year-old forward hasn't played in any of their last nine games in all competitions and his ability to hold the ball and score goals has been a big miss for Bielsa and the squad.

In his absence, the Argentine head coach has had to try a variety of solutions, to largely disappointing results, with the likes of Rodrigo, Daniel James, Tyler Roberts, Jack Harrison and academy gem Joe Gelhardt all getting opportunities to lead the line.

But understandably, none compare to the England international, who ended the 2020/21 season as their top goalscorer on 17 goals, some nine more than any other player (Harrison and Stuart Dallas, eight goals), as per WhoScored.

Meanwhile, the German has found life fairly tough since swapping Freiburg for west Yorkshire, starting 13 times in the Premier League last season, but his involvement against United certainly signalled Bielsa's intentions that he would be a first-choice this term, so to not have him for the bulk of the campaign is certainly a blow.

Even more so as he's capable of also playing in defensive midfield and on either flank as a full-back.

This sort of versatility would have been much-needed in recent weeks as Bielsa has had to contend with quite the injury crisis - even Rodrigo and Raphinha were missing for their 2-1 defeat to Spurs at the weekend.

Plenty of the Elland Road faithful were absolutely buzzing to see the Leeds pair back in training, as relayed by LeedsLive, and you'd imagine that Bielsa will be just as ecstatic back in Wetherby as he mulls over his team for Saturday's clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Having both Bamford and Koch nearing a return is certainly a timely and big boost for the Yorkshire giants.

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