Chelsea handed boost as FA Cup rivals suffer major injury blow

Chelsea are set to take on Leeds United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday, February 28 - and Leeds may be without one of their first team players, with Patrick Bamford faces a short spell on the side lines with a calf problem.

Currently, the one-cap England international's status is unclear. Leeds boss Daniel Farke says he 'may' be back for the game against the Blues - but he offers no degree of certainty.

Speaking in a press conference on Bamford's condition, Farke said: "[Bamford] has some problems with his calf. We don't expect him to be out for too long. I don't expect him to be available for Leicester. We think he will be back for the cup game or the league fixture after.

"Sam [Byram] has hamstring problems and will not be available for this game or Leicester. Jamie Shackleton is back and available to go. It's good that we have one more. We have Stuart [Dallas] and Pascal [Struijk] out but everyone else is fine."

How would Chelsea benefit from Patrick Bamford's absence?

While Bamford has been a star player for Leeds in the past, including during their recent run in the Premier League, he is experiencing a difficult season so far. The 30-year-old has made 25 appearances in all competitions for the Whites, but has only been able to muster five goals and two assists.

Instead, he has largely been usurped by the impressive Georginio Rutter. Not only is he a superior goal scorer, he is also much more creative - in the Championship alone, he has already registered 11 assists, supplemented by six goals. As such, Chelsea will not benefit too much from Bamford's potential absence - however, he may have a point to prove when he comes up against his former club.