Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford was delighted to get more minutes in his legs against Southampton's Under 21s as the Whites Under 21s cruised home to a 6-2 win at Elland Road.
The England international is still finding his way back to full fitness this term but managed to bag himself a hat-trick against the Saints on Friday night.
Crysencio Summerville, Liam Cooper and Sonny Perkins were also on the scoresheet for a Leeds side that featured plenty of first team players as U21 boss Michael Skubala balanced experience with youth.
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Last season saw Bamford endure an injury hit campaign which hindered Leeds up front. And while the season is still young, he has yet to finish 90 minutes of Premier League action this term.
But with Leeds' games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest recently postponed, perhaps the rest and the 76 minutes the 29-year-old played for the Whites' U21s against Southampton are just what the forward needed to get himself right.
"I think it was good for us first team players to get the minutes in because we've obviously missed a few games and then the games got cancelled unfortunately," said Bamford in the aftermath of the 6-2 win.
"The main thing was, as Skubs [Michael Skubala] said was to win the game. So obviously, we want to help the 21s as much as we can and we managed to do that so it was a good night.
"My job is to score goals, so I try and do it every game. It's always nice coming off the pitch with three. After just playing, I feel a little bit less fresh!
"But I feel good, it's just about getting the minutes and that kind of consistency of game after game to get into the swing of things and get your body used to it again."
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