Leeds United star Patrick Bamford gives important injury update ahead of play-off final against Southampton

Patrick Bamford admits it is “touch and go” to be fit for Leeds United’s Championship play-off final with Southampton next week. The experienced striker has not featured for the Whites since injuring his knee in the 4-3 win at Middlesbrough on 22 April.

Bamford was one of three senior players absent from play-off semi-finalists Norwich City, with Sam Byram and Pascal Struijk also ruled out through injury. United manager Daniel Farke will be hoping Bamford and Byram are available for selection when they face Southampton at Wembley on May 26. Influential centre-back Struijk has already been ruled out until next season.

Speaking on the latest episode of My Mate’s A Footballer Podcast, Bamford said: “The simple answer is no (if he knows where the injury is). It’s touch and go, in these 10 days, realistically, if I want to be involved in the final, I’ll have to train with the team at some point next week.

Read more: Southampton boss Russell Martin gives a candid answer to Leeds United’s final play-off question

“Against Middlesbrough I don’t remember doing it. It was a kick where I was limping, after which they think it happened. Cry (Crysencio Summerville) had a chance and I sneaked in to try to touch him at the back post, and I don’t know what happened and somehow I managed to hit my knee, or twist it or something to stay.

“Two minutes later, when I started running on the field, it hurt more and more. The manager took me out five minutes later so I thought ok, I’ll be fine, I just hit him. Then the next day, I was in agony thinking, what’s going on?

“I got on the bench and iced it and thought it would go away the next day, but it got worse. It’s hard to explain what it is, but it has something to do with the patella tendon and where the bone attaches. It’s touch and go for the finale.

“Realistically, because it’s been three weeks since I last played, I’ve got to train, with the final on Sunday, until Wednesday to train for a couple of days, because otherwise there’s no point in being there because I’m not going to be sharp.”