‘I can’t offer certainty’: Bielsa says two Leeds stars will miss the game against Tottenham

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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford will both miss the game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday due to injury.

The Whites have had a difficult time in the Premier League so far this season. They’ve won just two of their first 11 games and are currently 15th in the table, just three points above Burnley, who are in the relegation zone.

Things don’t get easier for Leeds. They now travel to North London to take on a Tottenham side who will be looking to make a statement under their new manager, Antonio Conte.

Bielsa, like always, will go for the win, but he will have to do so without two of his key players.

Bielsa: Bamford and Ayling have not recovered from their injury

The Argentine faced the media in his press conference yesterday and he was quizzed about the availability of two of his star players – Bamford and Ayling.

Bielsa said, as per Leeds Live: “They’re not available for the game on Sunday. (They are progressing) positively.”

Asked if he can confirm when they’ll return to full fitness, the Leeds boss said: “The evolution is controlled on a daily basis and I would not want to give you a date that won’t be met.

“When my responses are brief, it’s because I can’t offer certainty.”

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Bamford has missed the last two months due to an ankle injury he suffered after the game against Newcastle United. Ayling too has been out for the same period due to a knee problem of his own.

Leeds fans were hoping that the pair would be fit and available after the international break, but it looks like they’ll be out for a little while longer. It’s unclear when they’ll be back, but the one thing that’s clear is that it’s a big blow for the Whites.

A fully fit Leeds side would fancy their chances against Tottenham. Bamford would’ve caused a few problems to this Spurs defence, but Bielsa will now have to find a way to get the job done without his main man up top.