Standing on the spectacular Broadbeach seafront earlier this month, Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford took the opportunity to give journalists an update on his injury status.
The forward made just nine appearances last season as he struggled with a series of injuries, the most recent being plantar fasciitis, which brought his campaign to a premature finish in March. However, with the white sand and sparkling blue ocean visible over his shoulder and the Australian sun beaming down his back, Bamford painted a picture of optimism regarding his fitness.
"To be fair, it's fine - I'm able to train fully and do everything as normal," he told the travelling United press pack. “The only thing is getting up in the morning, it's a bit stiff, but it's fine, I don't have any issues playing or anything.
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“The more I play the more it adjusts. It takes three months for the actual tissue to adjust fully but there's no issue now."
However, given his importance to the side, Bamford’s workload was still being managed Down Under. The 28-year-old picked up half an hour of action a couple of days after speaking to journalists in Gold Coast, stepping off the bench at the Cbus Super Stadium against Brisbane Roar.
He then secured an hour of match action against Aston Villa in Brisbane, but only after sitting out of Leeds’ open training session the day before at the Suncorp Stadium. Bamford pushed himself to his limits in that fiery Queensland clash, throwing his weight around well and getting stuck in before making way for Rodrigo in the 62nd minute.
It was a performance that represented progress for the England international and he looked confident during the club’s next open training session in Fremantle a few days later, bagging a goal or two and linking up well with the likes of Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra. Opportunities fell his way in another encouraging 45 minute performance against Crystal Palace at the Optus Stadium.
However, the start of the Premier League season is now just over a week away with Wolves due to travel to Elland Road on August 6 and as he pushes to be fit and sharp enough for the season opener, he will be eyeing Sunday’s clash with Cagliari as another opportunity to pick up valuable minutes. Jesse Marsch is expected to name something close to his strongest side against the Serie B visitors, and that means supporters should be able to see Bamford line up from the start.
Of course, the head coach is unlikely to push his star striker by keeping him on for 90 minutes in the final friendly of the summer, which would appear to be an unnecessary risk at this stage of the season. Bamford, though, can expect to play extended minutes once more this weekend and he’ll use the game to not only build on his fitness and robustness, but also work on those link-ups and partnerships with his teammates.
Sunday will be Bamford’s first run out on home soil since his appearance against Norwich City in March. He only lasted 45 minutes that day, though, which perhaps typifies the wretched campaign he endured last time around.
Form will come for the striker, who bagged 17 during the Whites’ first season in the Premier League, if he can keep fit and another lengthy run out against Cagliari will certainly stand him in good stead as he aims to hit the ground running on the opening weekend and leave his injury troubles behind him.
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