Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has opened up on his battle to get fit after an injury-laden season that limited him to just nine Premier League appearances last season. The 28-year-old signed a new five-year deal with the club last summer after the best season of his career with 17 league goals and started the 2021/22 campaign fit, scoring his first goal of the season against Burnley at the end of August.
However, things began to spiral out of control on the injury front after coming off against Newcastle United in September with an ankle problem, and he could not manage to stay fit for a prolonged period of time, with the ankle and hamstring issues persisting. A foot injury just 23 minutes into his return to the team at Wolves in March ended a miserable season for Bamford after a promising start which saw him earn his first England cap.
The English forward has worked hard this summer to get back to his best physically in what is an important flashpoint in his Leeds and potential England career. The Whites have a new head coach in Jesse Marsch that Bamford has to prove a point to, having missed most of his early reign and also, with the World Cup coming up this winter, the 28-year-old wants to force his way into Gareth Southgate's plans.
READ MORE: Leeds United's Patrick Bamford on similarities and differences between Jesse Marsch & Marcelo Bielsa
Speaking to BBC Sport about his injury problems last season and his road to recovery, Bamford believes he is more driven than ever to get back fit for Leeds and achieve his childhood dream of playing at a World Cup. "I was a little bit unfortunate to have a couple that followed on from each other, so I ended up basically missing most of the campaign," said Bamford.
"With the last one, I literally set a timeline in my head as soon as I got injured and just went to work straight away. Obviously, there were certain limitations to what I could do, but through the whole off-season, I tested myself, went away and worked pretty much every day. And I knew that when I came back, I'd be all right.
"I've got to concentrate on Leeds, but I would be lying if I said the World Cup wasn't in the back of my mind because obviously, it's every kid's dream. But I know that there's a lot of hard work I've got to do to even put my name in the picture."
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