The run-in begins on Saturday with Leeds United, Sheffield United and Burnley facing eight games to earn a place in the top two and secure automatic promotion from the Championship.
With the final international break done and dusted, Leeds sit top of the Championship table thanks to a much-better goal difference than Sheffield United. Chris Wilder is expecting a “titanic” battle to go up.
Burnley have closed the gap on the top two to just two points, sitting on 78. Scott Parker’s men are in excellent form, finally clicking in the final third with their defence almost immaculate throughout 24-25.
Daniel Farke will need all of his squad and his best players firing if Leeds are to stave off the threat of Sheffield United and Burnley, but he has just confirmed that one player is fit despite fitness concerns.
Daniel Farke delivers update on Patrick Bamford for Swansea
Struggling Swansea come to Elland Road on Saturday in a game Leeds are expected to win, even if Swansea have just confirmed Alan Sheehan will remain in charge of the Welsh side until the summer.
Patrick Bamford has been sidelined with a hamstring issue since picking up the injury on New Year’s Day against Blackburn. But, he is back in training and Farke said he is happy to have him available again.
“I like that I have Patrick available, but we have to keep in mind he has been out for three months. Patrick has the experience and the quality but it is his fitness levels we must keep in mind,” Farke said.
How Patrick Bamford has been performing in Leeds training
It is approaching seven years since Leeds confirmed the £7m arrival of Bamford from Middlesbrough in Marcelo Bielsa’s first summer. But the second-half of that seven-year stint has been marred by injury.
However, having Bamford as an option on the bench in the final eight games is a big boost for Farke, who says the striker has been working hard in training to rediscover his fitness and become available again.
| Period | Games | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| First three seasons | 110 | 8245 | 43 | 13 | 147.2 |
| Last four seasons | 88 | 4083 | 17 | 9 | 157.0 |
Bamford played double the amount of minutes in his first three seasons at Leeds than he has managed in the last four, and that is startling. But, he could still play a part in the Championship run-in for Leeds.
“Every day in training is important, but he has been out since January. I like how hard he works in training, each and every day is a bit closer,” Farke said. Willy Gnonto and Ethan Ampadu are in contention, too.
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