Chris
Patrick Bamford returned to action last weekend for Leeds United after a lengthy spell on the sidelines
Leeds United fan favourite Dominic Matteo believes Patrick Bamford will need a fast start to nail down a place in Daniel Farke’s starting XI.
The one time England international returned to action at Southampton as a second-half substitute with the Whites chasing the game, playing the final ten minutes of the Championship tie. 30-year-old Bamford has missed the start of the season after picking up an injury in Leeds’ pre-season friendly with Hearts.
Injuries have been his biggest problem in recent seasons, managing just nine appearances in 2021-22, but did play over 30 games in all competitions for the Whites last term in another injury hit campaign. The arrival of Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe has brought new competition to Leeds’ forward line.
Rutter looks to be finally hitting his groove while Piroe is a proven goal scorer at Championship level. Bamford himself is no stranger to finding the back of the net in the second tier, with 16 goals in Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship title winning campaign.
“He’ll be thinking, I need to get myself going again. These lads in my position are doing well, competition for places is everything – it is key, it makes people better.”
