Daniel Farke is really ‘happy’ to be able to welcome Patrick Bamford back into Leeds United’s squad against Southampton but insists he needs time to reach full sharpness.
Farke was speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to St. Mary’s, where he confirmed Bamford is back in contention following his injury.
Bamford has been out of action for the entirety of the season so far after picking up a hamstring injury in Leeds’ final pre-season friendly away at Hearts.
Injuries have plagued Bamford for the last two years now and this latest setback will have been a major blow to him after working hard through the summer to get back fit.
Thankfully for Leeds, they have not missed him too much, with Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe having formed an excellent partnership in attack, but Bamford’s return will be a huge boost.
Farke ‘happy’ to have Bamford back
As Bamford prepares to be involved for the first time this season, Farke spoke of how ‘beneficial’ he could be to the squad once he is fully fit.
He said: “First of all we are not just here to help Patrick, it’s more the other way around. He’s experienced and always a good feeling as a player when you look around see Bamford next to you. He didn’t win the cap for England in the lottery.
“He’s had a difficult spell due to injuries. He was excellent in pre-season. We are right now all happy he is back. He will need a while to be back to his best. It’s good to have him back and he will be beneficial to us as a group. He’s confident and experienced enough, he doesn’t need our help.”
Rutter and Piroe is very much Leeds’ first choice partnership at this stage, but what their form will allow Farke to do is give Bamford time to reach full match sharpness.
After his injuries in the past, Bamford has often been rushed back into action which is what has caused him to break down time and time again.
There is no doubt for the first few weeks at least he will only be a bench option, but there aren’t many better backup strikers in this division.
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