Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch will be desperate for Patrick Bamford to remain fit this season, says journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The 29-year-old had a lot of injury problems last season but will now be looking to put that behind him.

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What is the latest news involving Bamford?

Bamford recently played in a Leeds U21 game after the Whites' senior side saw fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United get postponed.

Speaking after the match, a 6-2 win versus Southampton, the striker told LUTV (via Leeds' official club website): "It was good for us to get some minutes, as we’ve obviously missed a few games.

“The main thing was that we wanted to win the game and help the Under-21s as much as we can, and yeah, we managed to do that so it was a good night."

It was a very good night for Bamford, who managed to score a hat-trick for Michael Skubala's side.

What has O'Rourke said about Bamford and Leeds?

Regarding senior matters, O'Rourke says Marsch will be dying for Bamford to stay fit, as the Englishman can give Leeds an "extra dimension".

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: "He's a key man in that side, so to have him fit and firing up front gives Leeds an extra dimension. So he'll be desperate for Bamford to stay fit this season and get a good run of games under his belt."

How much of a boost would it be for Leeds if Bamford can stay injury-free?

It would be a massive one. Bamford has already shown what he can do when he is fully fit.

Back in the 2020/21 season, where the England international managed to play in all 38 of Leeds' fixtures, he scored an impressive 17 goals.

With that sort of firepower up front, Leeds should not find themselves in another relegation battle.

"Top player, Bamford," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said (via Metro) towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

"I can remember before the season I heard on talkSPORT that people said, 'Leeds need a proper goalscorer, Bamford is not good enough.' I’m so happy that he could prove them wrong, he’s an exceptional player, perfect.

"The work rate is outstanding and still playing the football he plays on top of that and scoring goals, that’s rare."

From Leeds and Bamford's perspective, hopefully the £74,000-a-week forward's injury woes at Elland Road are now a thing of the past.