Patrick Bamford update emerges from Leeds United for 1st day after transfer window
Daniel Farke has confirmed that Patrick Bamford is in contention to return to Leeds United action in the next game against Hull City on 31 August.
The Whites boss shared an update on the injured striker’s situation after he missed the trip to Hillsborough for the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday with a hamstring issue.
Bamford is expected to be back at least by the other side of the international break against Burnley on 14 September, but Farke has indicated he could be fit for involvement against the Tigers the day after the transfer window shuts.
The German said, via Leeds Live (24 August): “We don’t have to speak about the experience and the quality that Patrick has. For him, it’s the most important topic to be fit, to be training regularly, to come into his rhythm and then he’s an excellent Championship striker; he has even proven this on Premier League level.
“He was pretty close to getting back his fitness level, and then hopefully just a small setback because our medical department says he will be out for one to two weeks so not too bad. Perhaps he will already be available for the next game, if not then at least after the international break.”
Leeds United striker may be fit to face Hull City and Burnley
Bamford looked set to remain at the club beyond the close of the window either way given his contract and a lack of suitable exit routes.
But his latest injury surely put paid to any chance of another club taking a risk on his fitness, with the 30-year-old plagued by set-backs in recent seasons.
The Daily Mail reported on 1 July that one of Bamford or Joel Piroe was in line to be sold, but with both struggling for form so far this season neither appear to have markets.
A new striker is set to come in before the window closes after the imminent arrival of Manor Solomon from Tottenham [Daily Mail, 24 August], and Mateo Joseph’s performance against the Owls cemented his place at the top of the striker pecking order for now.
So Bamford will have a job on his hands to force his way back into the reckoning once more if he faces Hull, or after the international break.
He endured a difficult first half of last season as well before displacing Piroe in the New Year and going on a key scoring run, but similar issues with form and fitness have returned and his place in the set up again looks uncertain.
In other Leeds United news, a medical has been completed for the Whites to complete another late signing.
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