Leeds striker Patrick Bamford will be out for at least six weeks in the club’s fight for survival

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks with a foot injury.

The 28-year-old was retired midway through the first half of Wolves’ 3-2 win before the international break after recently recovering from a foot problem.

Although he won’t need surgery, Leeds announced Bamford will miss another significant part of the season after rupturing his plantar fascia.

Bamford was Leeds’ top scorer on their Premier League return last season with 17 goals in 38 games, but he has only featured in nine of the club’s 30 games this season due to hamstring and ankle problems.

Leeds’ head of medicine and performance Rob Price said on the club’s website: “(Bamford) has been playing with a plantar fascia injury for the past 12 months.

“Despite treatment and prolonged rehabilitation, the injury has progressed from a partial tear to a full fracture.

“Injuries to the plantar fascia are notoriously difficult to treat, but everyone involved is confident he will make a full recovery from this injury in time.

“What[Bamford]needs is a period of rest and rehabilitation to allow his body to fully recover.”

The news comes as a huge blow to Leeds, who boosted their hopes of survival last time out by trailing 2-0 at Molineux and winning when they were seven points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

There was happier news, however, as they confirmed that captain Liam Cooper, fellow defender Diego Llorente and midfielder Kalvin Phillips had all returned to training.

The trio are therefore aiming for a stake when Southampton visit Elland Road next Saturday.

Raphinha is also back in training after suffering illness, while Mateusz Klich has returned to the squad after completing protocols to return to training after suffering a concussion.