Airport pictures posted online give West Ham a major striker boost ahead of the Leeds clash at the London Stadium.
West Ham take on Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side for the second time in a week after beating them 2-0 in the FA Cup last Sunday.
The Hammers won that game at a canter to continue their winning record against Leeds since their return to the top flight.
But while Leeds have had a week to rest, West Ham had to play Norwich in midweek and David Moyes has admitted his side have a number of Covid and injury issues.
And in the build-up to the game there have been reports that Leeds will have several key players back to face the Hammers including star striker Patrick Bamford.
But airport pictures posted online will give West Ham a major boost ahead of Leeds.
Airport pictures give West Ham a major striker boost ahead of Leeds clash
That’s after images posted by a Leeds fan on Twitter showed Bielsa and his squad at the airport waiting to fly to London without that man Bamford.
With every point crucial in the race for the top four, that will be music to Moyes’s ears.
The Scot could have Kurt Zouma back in his matchday squad and told the press he is hoping to have one of Tomas Soucek or Mark Noble back for the game after both missed Wednesday’s win over Norwich.
It should not have been too much of a surprise given Bielsa suggested Bamford was not quite ready to return against West Ham in his pre-match presser.
“No, (Bamford) hasn’t had a setback, he’s still evolving.
“His recovery still hasn’t been finalised,” said the Leeds manager.
It was not all good news for West Ham, though.
Spain forward Rodrigo and defender Pascal Struijk were present at the airport, giving Bielsa a triple boost after left-back Junior Firpo confirmed he too is fit to play after concussion.