Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has confirmed that Patrick Bamford is ruled out of Saturday's Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur, while Jack Harrison is doubtful.
Bamford has been hampered with injuries over the last 12 months and the striker missed the thrilling 4-3 victory over Bournemouth last weekend due to an unspecified problem.
Marsch has now revealed that the 29-year-old – who has started only four times in the top flight this season – is one of six players who will not be involved at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.
The American has also stated that English winger Harrison – who played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers – is doubtful with a muscle problem.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Marsch said: "[Archie] Gray's injury has turned into an ankle issue. Shut him down for six to eight weeks. A defect in his ankle was highlighted when he broke his toe.
© Reuters
[Adam] Forshaw training hard. If Spurs were three days later he'd make it. Stuart [Dallas] making great progress (in his recovery from a broken leg).
"Patrick is out for this match. Klichy (Mateusz Klich) out for this match after a knee contact at Wolves. Harrison questionable with a muscle issue."
Luis Sinisterra was not mentioned by Marsch at his press conference but the Colombian winger has been ruled out until after the World Cup with a foot injury.
Leeds head into Saturday's contest off the back of two successive Premier League victories against Liverpool and Bournemouth, beating the former 2-1 away from home at the end of last month.
Marsch is now preparing his side for an encounter against a Spurs outfit who have lost their last two top-flight home matches, and the American has shared his thoughts on Antonio Conte and his methods ahead of the contest in North London.
"Conte, in general doesn't always do a lot of rotation. He has a group that he works intensively with and almost protects very carefully," Marsch told reporters.
© Reuters
"I know he's travelled to the US many times with different teams, [such as Juventus] and he's known as one of the guys that keeps a closed environment more than anyone else that comes when they take teams to the US. This is his leadership style.
"I think Tottenham have had a lot of games, they've rotated a little bit but not that much. They have such a quality squad. Playing at home they are always good and what an incredible stadium and fan base they have.
"We know that this is a big challenge once again against a top opponent in our league that is disciplined to play the way that they want to play, but the beauty of where we are is we are not perfect but we are also not afraid.
"We have shown that this year, that we are not afraid of top opponents and for sure we are going to Tottenham and we are going to play confidently and we are going to go after the game in every way."
Leeds currently sit 12th in the Premier League table but they can only finish as high as 11th with a victory over Tottenham heading into the World Cup break as they sit four points behind Crystal Palace in 10th place.
Securing maximum points in North London could see them move six points clear of the relegation zone, though, while Spurs could climb from fourth to third with a win over the West Yorkshire side.
Oliver Thomas
