In a recent interview (via Yorkshire Evening Post), Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford offered an update on his injury. The Whites centre-forward said,
“This one is a minor injury really, it’s nothing massive.
“Obviously, it’s taken a few weeks, but it’s not a long, long-term one, so I’ve just used this time to build strength and do things I wouldn’t usually do because I’ve got to prepare for a game or got to make sure my legs are okay.
“It’s kind of a chance for me to work on things that I wouldn’t ordinarily get a chance to do.”
Bamford’s Decent Run Of Form Prior To His Recent Ankle Injury
It seems like Bamford is recovering well from his ankle injury and could not be in a race against time to be fit for Leeds United‘ upcoming match away at Southampton after the international break. The Grantham-born striker has missed a lot of key games due to this injury but deserves credit for scoring one goal and grabbing three assists in six matches for the Whites this season in all competitions.
Bamford has kept himself busy in the final third by averaging 1.6 clearances, 3.0 shots, 0.6 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in the 2020-21 Premier League season. The 28-year-old even interchanged possession relatively well in the opponent’s half based on his pass completion rate of 80.2% in the top tier of English football (stats via whoscored).
The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency:
Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/) Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/)
Bamford Offers Positive Update On His Injury: Big Boost For The Whites?
Bamford has a good football IQ that helps him make some intelligent runs for Leeds in the opposition half. He has a high work rate and is not shy of running the channels to create space for others around him in the final third. The former Nottingham Forest youngster enjoys playing as a centre-forward but can even fill in as a wide player on either flank if needed.
The Whites forward can get himself into some encouraging areas in and around the opponent’s penalty box and can be a tidy finisher in the attacking end of the pitch. He can keep the ball moving quite well without losing possession cheaply up top.
At the moment, Bamford remains Marcelo Bielsa’s undisputed number one forward, so having him back from injury after the international break will be a massive boost for the West Yorkshire outfit and their chances of securing a favourable run of results in Premier League football.
