David Prutton on Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts debate with Leeds United in 'rude health' for run-in

DAVID PRUTTON feels Leeds United are in "rude health" for their Premier League promotion push and blessed with an excellent second option striker in Tyler Roberts.
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Wales international Roberts still had to settle for a place on the bench in Saturday's Championship hosting of Huddersfield Town, despite netting a brace in the previous weekend's 4-0 romp at Hull City.

After returning from a series of injury troubles, Roberts excelled against the Tigers in the no 9 role after coming on as a second-half substitute for striker Patrick Bamford who saw a seventh game pass without scoring.

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Bamford, though, again kept his place in the lone striker role for Saturday's encounter against the Terriers and netted for the first time since January 28 as United recorded a 2-0 victory.

WAITING IN THE WINGS: Leeds United's Tyler Roberts. Picture by Tony Johnson.WAITING IN THE WINGS: Leeds United's Tyler Roberts. Picture by Tony Johnson.
WAITING IN THE WINGS: Leeds United's Tyler Roberts. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Roberts then came on for Bamford 11 minutes from time as United sealed a fifth-straight win that put them top of the Championship and with a seven-point cushion in the division's automatic promotion spots.

Leeds, who visit ninth-placed Cardiff City on Sunday, are now nine games away from a potential return to the Premier League having responded in fine style to a run of just ten points from 11 games during the winter.

Roberts - who has also played as a no 10 and out wide - then featured for United's under-23s on Monday but former Whites midfielder and Sky Sports presenter Prutton says Leeds are in a fine position with a player such as the Wales international waiting in the wings.

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"Tyler appears to have slightly more versatility to him than perhaps Patrick does," said Prutton.

"In working his way back to full fitness after injury and coming on to score two goals, he can't have done much more to get a starting berth.

"But it's good for Leeds to know they have got that in reserve on the bench.

"We know how imperative these last nine games are going to be and the squad appear to be in a good position.

"They have worked their way from what was seen as a perceived blip with questions being asked of them to answer them emphatically and they look in rude health."

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