Leeds boss Marcelo Bisela is refusing to declare key striker Patrick Bamford as an absentee from the game at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Striker Bamford had been believed to be a definite non starter along with several other players but at his pre-match press conference Bielsa made it clear that maybe some smokes and mirrors had been going on during the week.
After another defeat in the FA Cup – Leeds haven’t beaten us since their Premier League return – the Elland Road boss is looking for a change of fortune.
But he made it very clear he had admiration for the Hammers who will be looking for their fifth win on the trot to remain in the top four.
Moyes has admitted we have some knocks and niggles but we are unlikely to be as badly affected as the Whites who are currently just two places above the relegation places with 19 points.
Bielsa told his presser: “Patrick Bamford has not had a setback. He’s still evolving, his recovery still hasn’t been finalised. “It’s probable that Pascal Struijk, Rodrigo and Bamford may have options to return.”
After a two-goal defeat against the Hammers last Sunday, Bielsa was asked if any lessons had been learned from that game by his side, ahead of the second successive match against us.
“It’s a fight that is deserved and one they are taking forward,” he explained.
“They [West Ham] are a team that has variants for each position. They have adapted to the absences they have had. They are a team with power offensively and with a very solid structure.”
