Jon Newsome predicts whether Patrick Bamford will now start for Leeds United against Preston

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Leeds United fans got a glimpse of the Patrick Bamford of old last night, when he came on against his old side Middlesbrough on 72 minutes – in only his second game back after injury.

Bamford clocked up his 200th outing from the bench and he should have been rewarded with a goal, but his effort was disallowed. Replays have shown that Darren Williams got it wrong, as he did for Ao Tanaka.

Two mistakes that have been deemed “unforgivable” by Mark Clattenburg. But it wasn’t that Bamford simply got his name on the score sheet, it was his hold-up play and dictating Middlesbrough’s defence.

Bamford won more duels than any Leeds player despite only being a sub. He put himself about and even won a tackle down by the dugouts before moving forward while on the deck. A brief glimpse of his class.

• READ MORE: Karl Darlow did something he’s not managed throughout his entire career last night

Jon Newsome predicts if Patrick Bamford starts against Preston

Joel Piroe meanwhile, went seven games without a goal or an assist on Tuesday night. Having scored 15 and created six in the previous 34 Championship games, Piroe is struggling to make an impact now.

Perhaps tiredness, perhaps pressure, perhaps Piroe’s form is just coinciding with Leeds struggling of late. Daniel Farke has shown he will axe out-of-form players – just ask Brenden Aaronson and Illan Meslier.

With Bamford impressing and Piroe struggling, there are calls for Bamford to start on Saturday against Preston. Jon Newsome doesn’t think Bamford is far away from earning his first league start of the season.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: “Yeah, he’s not a million miles away. Do you say, I’ll play you for 45 minutes and bring you off at half-time? We’ll manage you? I want to play you for longer – I think he is a real weapon.

“When he’s fit and he’s strong, he’s on his game and he looks full of beans, he’s a handful, a real weapon. He’s a wily old cat. He’ll pick your pocket, he’s outstanding. Bits off the cuff you don’t expect him to do.”

What Daniel Farke has said about starting Bamford this week

Before the game against Middlesbrough, Farke ruled out any chance of starting Bamford or Max Wober. He described it as “not natural” to start players of their ilk, their age, after so long out injured at Leeds.

However, Bamford was afforded about 25 minutes of action with injury time and asked again after the full-time whistle, Farke said Bamford’s cameos do not put pressure on Joel Piroe – but they will do.

Piroe will know Bamford is playing better at the moment, the one-time England man is the player with some momentum. It would be a surprise to see Bamford start on Saturday, but he is certainly pushing.