Leeds striker Patrick Bamford claims he didn’t think he could play at Fulham

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Patrick Bamford has told The Leeds United Podcast that he thought that there was no way that he was going to be able to play in the Whites’ clash with Fulham – even on the morning of the game.

Bamford seemed to be a doubt for the clash at Craven Cottage after coming off in Leeds’s previous game.

It would have been a huge blow for the Whites to be without Bamford. Rodrigo Moreno was sidelined and Tyler Roberts has only briefly led the line in the Premier League.

But Leeds were handed a big boost against Scott Parker’s side. Bamford kept his place and went on to make a devastating impact.

He scored his 14th goal of the season to break the deadlock. And he went on to set up Raphinha for the winner during the second-half.

The 27-year-old was once again unable to see the game out. But it appears that no one was more surprised to see him last 77 minutes than Bamford himself.

“To be honest, two days after the game, I was struggling to walk. I was in a right pickle. I’m a little bit better now,” he told The Leeds United Podcast. “I know Marcelo said in the press conference the day before that I’d be fit and expected to play, but I didn’t think I was going to be able to play.

“I did the fitness test at the hotel the morning of the game. In my head I thought there’s no way I’m going to be able to play this game. But I’m glad that they pushed me through it because once the adrenaline kicked in and everything worked out the way it did, it was a good job I did play.”

Of course, many fans feel that Bamford – who earns £35,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – should be on international duty right now. But it appears that the break has come at a good time for the forward.

He can now rest up – as much as a player can when they play for Marcelo Bielsa. He can hopefully recover from the current knocks he is dealing with and be ready for the Whites’ return to action.