Patrick Bamford has shared a brand new individual injury update ahead of Leeds United’s play-off final with Southampton next weekend.
Bamford missed Leeds‘ last two matches of the regular season, as well as both legs of the emphatic semi-final victory over Norwich City earlier this week.
The 30-year-old picked up a knock to his knee almost a month ago in Leeds’ 4-3 win at Middlesbrough, which initially looked as though it was just some bruising, as opposed to a proper injury.
Daniel Farke had even given him a chance of being back for the 4-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers, though clearly that was before they knew the real extent of the injury.
Considering what is at stake, Bamford will be itching to get back to action ahead of the final, but is still looking to do his bit off the pitch, giving Georginio Rutter a personal pep-talk before Thursday’s win.
Bamford shares whether he could make Leeds play-off final
Bamford was one of three players absent from the squad against Norwich, with Pascal Struijk having missed the last five months, and Sam Byram a late omission.
Struijk has already been ruled out for the season but for both Bamford and Byram, they will be doing everything possible to get themselves back fit.
With the clock ticking on the chances of them being involved, Bamford provided a personal injury update on the latest episode of the ‘My Mate’s A Footballer Podcast‘.
He says, at this stage, it remains ‘touch and go’ as to whether he will return and offered a timeline of when he needs to begin training for him to be in the squad.
He said: “So, the simple answer is no [on whether he knows where his injury is at]. It is touch and go, these 10 days, realistically if I want to be involved in the final, I will have to train with the team at some point next week.
“Against Middlesbrough I don’t remember doing it. There was one shot where I was limping after which is where they think it happened. Cry had a shot and I slid in to try and tap it in at the back post, and I don’t know what happened and somehow I managed to bang my knee, or twist it or something.
“Two minutes later when I start to run around on the pitch it got more and more sore. The manager took me off five minutes later so I thought good, I will be alright, I’ve just banged it. Then the next day, I was in agony and I was like, what’s going on?
“I got on the bench and iced it and thought it would settle down the next day, but it got worse. It’s hard to explain what it is, but it’s something to do with the patella tendon and where the bone attaches. It’s touch and go for the final.
“Realistically because it’s been three weeks since I last played, I need to train, with the final on Sunday, by Wednesday to get a few days training because otherwise it’s pointless me being there as I won’t be sharp anyway.”
Bamford does not sound hopeful of returning for Leeds final
Bamford’s return to the squad would be huge for the final given what he can offer off the ball against a Southampton side who will be looking to play out from the back.
However, it has to be said that he does not sound overly confident at his chances of making it. The next few days look as though they will be crucial.
There is still over a week between now and the final but like he said, if he can’t return to training by Wednesday, his match fitness is going to be on the floor. On a big pitch like Wembley, Leeds can’t afford any passengers.
Hopefully he can see an improvement in his condition over the next 48 – 72 hours so he can at least be a useful bench option should Leeds need it.