Daniel Farke tells Patrick Bamford exactly where he stands after Leeds United cameo vs Middlesbrough

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The injury gods giveth and the injury gods taketh away for Daniel Farke’s Championship table-toppers Leeds United.

Shortly after Ethan Ampadu made his return after another decent spell out of action, and while Patrick Bamford and Max Wober finally donned a Leeds shirt again during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Luton Town, Lady Luck once again proved that she remains the most fickle of mistresses.

In a deflating post-match press conference at Kenilworth Road, Farke confirmed that Joe Rothwell faces a few weeks on the sidelines. It remains to be seen if the Bournemouth loanee ever plays for the club again.

The extent of Pascal Struijk’s latest injury is unclear, as of right now.

Farke does fear a fracture in his foot, however. One which would render one of Leeds United’s most reliable performances a mere spectator during the final five games of the Championship campaign.

Well, at least Leeds can go into those upcoming clashes with Preston, Oxford, Stoke, Bristol City, and Plymouth boosted by the availability of their influential captain and a striker who – while written off by many – has proven in successive eye-catching cameos that he still has a lot to offer.

Patrick Bamford impresses as Leeds United beat Middlesbrough

Farke feels that Patrick Bamford is nearing full fitness after a torturous 2025, so far. The experienced hitman came closer than most to breaking Luton’s resistance off the bench on Saturday.

Three days later, back in the North East to take on the club who sold him to Leeds back in 2018, Bamford saw a maiden Championship goal ruled out by an incorrect decision from the linesman.

One of two Leeds players – along with Ao Tanaka – who were falsely adjudged to have been in an offside position when sticking the ball in the back of the net.

That, understandably, was a source of frustration for Farke at full time. Albeit one offset by the sight of Bamford charging behind opposition backlines and shrugging off defenders like the good old days.

“[Bamford’s return does not put] pressure on [Joel] Piroe but I like it a lot,” Farke says. “Important that we have him. I would have preferred he had scored his offside goal for his confidence.”

Farke delighted to have ‘Welsh wall’ of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu reunited

Piroe, while still in with a shout at claiming the Golden Boot, failed to find the net for a seventh straight match. He never really looked like scoring either on a day when most of Leeds’ chances seemed to fall the way of matchwinner Dan James.

At the other end, meanwhile, Welsh duo Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu helped ensure that Middlesbrough’s second-half pressure counted for little. The Great Wall of West Yorkshire completed 14 clearances apiece.

“Yes, the Welsh wall is back,” Farke beams. “[Ampadu] was outstanding today. Glad to have his leadership skills back.”

Leeds have lost four games in the Championship this season.

Tellingly, 75 per cent of those have come when Ampadu – a leader on and off the pitch – was missing during two separate spells on the sidelines with a knee injury.