By Gabriel Agbonlahor

2nd Dec, 2021 | 1:24pm

Leeds handed 'big boost' as expert reveals likely Ayling comeback date - pundit

Leeds United have received a big boost as Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford made a major step in their recovery from injury, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker insisted Leeds need Ayling and Bamford to return to the first team “as soon as possible”.

The pair returned to action for the Under-23s on Monday night (29 November) in their 3-2 defeat to Man City in Premier League 2.

Bamford played the full 90 minutes while Ayling was replaced at half-time.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery told this site earlier this week (30 November) Ayling could now make his comeback for the senior side against Brentford this weekend (5 December).

The right-back, who started every Premier League game last season, has been absent since limping off with a knee injury against Newcastle United in September.

Bamford also suffered an ankle injury in the 1-1 at St. James’ Park and has not made a matchday squad since.

“It’s a big boost,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“They need them back as soon as possible, both of them. They are really important to the way they play.

“But Bamford needs to return in better form than what he was in before he got injured.

“It won’t be too far before they return, hopefully, from a Leeds United point of view.”

Bamford had scored just once in the opening five Premier League games before suffering his injury.

He scored 17 times last term making him the second-highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League behind Harry Kane.

In other news, Leeds United’s ‘star player’ may be ‘desperate’ to quit after a Marcelo Bielsa ‘power trip’.