Daniel Farke discusses if he would be content to drop the 20-year-old’s injury doubt against QPR.

Patrick Bamford of Leeds United is a new injury doubt for Friday’s match against QPR, which presents Daniel Farke with a selection dilemma involving Mateo Joseph.

With two games remaining in the season, Leeds’ attacking setup found its scoring touch against Middlesbrough just in time.

Despite having played a game extra, three different goal scorers combined for four goals to allay fears about automatic promotion and move the team above Ipswich.

Former Boro star Patrick Bamford was one of the scorers at the Riverside. He led Leeds’ attack with a masterful performance, directing play and seizing opportunities when they presented themselves.

But it seems to have come at a price, as Daniel Farke disclosed

The striker is doubtful for the match, he stated in his pre-QPR press conference.

The 30-year-old’s knee bruise is the cause of the injury, making it unlikely that he will play at Loftus Road:

Farke did imply that Bamford wouldn’t have had any problems playing if the game hadn’t been scheduled for Friday night rather than Saturday, but he wouldn’t have preferred the short turnaround.

If Bamford is unable to start the match, Farke will have the difficult task of deciding who should go first.

Mateo Joseph appears to be the most promising candidate to replace him, considering Joel Piroe’s lackluster performance in the opening match against Sunderland in April.

When questioned about that potential choice, Farke responded,

stated (through the YEP):

“I have complete faith and support in every one of my players; I will not let them down.” If Patrick does indeed miss this game, it will be a major loss; however, we must adjust to the situation and fixture list.

We value his objectives and innate sense of where to be. His objective is atBoro was a standard goal for a striker. It’s not an easy goal; in order to have the body balance and natural striker instinct, which Patrick possesses, you have to be very important to our pressing and workload. He also holds the ball, links play, and is an experienced player.

“He played with him in similar circumstances; the offense was Gnonto 20, Rutter 22, Summerville 22. Bamford is crucial because he helps the boys stay calm but can

also energise them; experience in this capacity is required.

“We adjust to the situation, maybe unable to begin the game, and then we come up with alternate solutions while fully supporting and believing in the other players.”

If Bamford is unable to start the game due to injury, Joseph is our best backup. This team needs an all-out nine in the lineup.

We need him up front because of the way he leads from the front with his back to the goal, moves quickly down the channel, and enters the box to receive crosses into the goalmouth.

Joseph should have been starting for Leeds in a crucial match; the last time he did so, he scored two goals against Chelsea.