Leeds United prepared to take fitness gamble on two key players ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Allardyce said: “Rodrigo trained today. Patrick we’re going to give him as long as we can, certainly until tomorrow, see where we’re at before we make our final selection for Sunday. In the striking area we are not overwhelmed with strikers perhaps, but it’ll what it’ll be when we find out tomorrow morning and pick a final XI to start the game on Sunday.
"I’ll gamble on anybody’s fitness if they want to play, if I think they’re going to make a contribution to try and help us win the game. It’s the last game, they can have plenty time to recover. There is obviously the medical issues where it depends if you risk them, the risk is too great and then of course a lot of it is up to the player himself,” Allardyce added.
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Hide AdBamford was hauled off during the first half against West Ham United last weekend complaining of a hamstring issue, while Rodrigo struggled through the second half with a plantar fascia flare-up in the sole of his foot.
Asked at what cost would Allardyce risk the players’ fitness, the 68-year-old caveated: “Only if it's the right thing for them to take the challenge upon [them].
"If the medical staff told me it's too risky, I wouldn't put a player's career or future at risk and ask him to do something that may injure him seriously.
"The risk factor will be taken into consideration.
"It would need to be 100 per cent supported by the player,” he added.
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Hide AdElsewhere at the foot of the table, Everton will fight on without England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has been ruled out of Sunday’s encounter with AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park. In addition, Sean Dyche will not be able to select Nathan Patterson, Seamus Coleman, Ben Godfrey or Ruben Vinagre at full-back, while left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko is a doubt.