Newcastle United, Everton and Burnley’s relegation rivals rocked by major injury news

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has been ruled out for a minimum of six weeks with a foot injury.

The 28-year-old was visibly upset after being forced off after just 23 minutes in the Whites’ 3-2 comeback at Wolverhampton Wanderers last Friday.

Bamford had only recently returned from an ankle and hamstring injury that kept him - bar one game - sidelined between September and February.

Leeds confirmed the former Chelsea youngster has “ruptured his plantar fascia” in the sole of his foot.

While Bamford will not require surgery, there is a strong chance the player might not play again this season.

Leeds’ Head of Medicine and Performance Rob Price said: “As all of the stats show, Patrick has put his body on the line for Leeds United for a number of seasons, he has played with a plantar fascia injury for the last 12 months and despite treatment and a prolonged period of rehabilitation, the injury has progressed from a partial tear to a full rupture.

“As all sports medics know, injuries to the plantar fascia are notoriously difficult to manage, but all concerned are confident that he will make a full recovery from this injury in good time.

“Patrick has been incredibly unlucky this year, his game time has been limited by different injuries including an ankle injury sustained at Newcastle and hamstring and quad injuries once back in training and matchday squads.

“What he needs is a period of rest and rehabilitation to allow his body to fully recover.”

Leeds face Southampton, Watford, Crystal Palace and Manchester City and Arsenal in the next six weeks before taking on Brighton, Brentford and Chelsea in the run-in.

In better news for Leeds, Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente have returned to training ahead of the visit to Southampton this Saturday (April ).

Star winger Raphinha, who tested positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the Wolves win, has also returned to Thorp Arch.

Jesse Marsch’s side sit seven points above the Premier League relegation zone and two points behind Newcastle United in the league table.

The two clubs have played each other twice this season with the last meeting in January ending in a 1-0 Magpies win at Elland Road.