Patrick Bamford injury update shared at Leeds United amid ‘long-term’ admission
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is fit to face Middlesbrough but is not “in his prime” due to a long-term lay-off, Daniel Farke has said.
The Whites manager said in his pre-match press conference [13 August] that he had a fully-fit squad to choose from for his side’s EFL Cup first-round tie, but pointed out that Bamford missed 11 weeks of pre-season training.
Bamford’s knee injury, picked up towards the back end of last season, saw him miss United’s play-off push and required long-term rehabilitation ahead of the new campaign.
In quotes reported by LeedsLive (13 August), Farke said: “[The squad is] fully fit. A few players like Patrick missed team training for 11 weeks over the summer.
“You cannot say he is in his prime – he had long-term knee rehab, needs time for rhythm. The more he trains with us the more he edges. These players can be ready for 45 or 60 minutes.
“My trust and belief is in Patrick; one of our problems in the latter stages of last season was losing his experience and quality.”
Patrick Bamford’s Leeds United career could hang in the balance
Bamford’s well-documented injury issues are nothing new at Elland Road, having only experienced two seasons in which he didn’t suffer several long-term lay-offs.
Consequently, they proved to be his two most successful campaigns in the white shirt, including one in which he scored 17 Premier League goals, and he has been striving to reach those heights ever since.
Injuries have continuously hampered these ambitions though, and despite increasingly intense training following yet another lengthy lay-off [Graham Smyth, 25 July], Bamford has dropped to third choice in United’s striker ranks.
Mateo Joseph led the line against Portsmouth following an exceptional pre-season campaign, while Joel Piroe was first off the bench despite seemingly not being a perfect fit for Farke’s system.
Like Bamford’s attempts to return to fitness, both Joseph and Piroe are striving to provide the same link-up play which gives Leeds an edge whenever Bamford starts – and he’ll be hoping to make a positive impact should he get on the pitch against Middlesbrough.
In other Leeds news, another Championship club have joined United in the race to sign an in-demand Premier League winger.
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