Patrick Bamford will need to tap into his childhood love to give Leeds United edge

Add as preferred source on Google

Patrick Bamford will return from suspension for the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final this week. Now it looks likely he will go straight back into the starting XI. Kemar Roofe will miss the game with a calf injury.

Bamford has been in the news recently because of his suspension for the deception of an official. Signed in the summer for a fee reported (Daily Mail) to be in the region of £7 million, Bamford has not quite lived up to his potential at Elland Road.

He is clearly a top Championship striker. He has proven that at both Middlesbrough and, of course, Derby County.

But when it comes to facing Derby this week, Bamford will hopefully tap into his childhood.

The Grantham born 25-year-old grew up both a Nottingham Forest fan and player. He came through the ranks at the City Ground before joining Chelsea in a controversial deal back in 2012.

Forest and Derby have a fierce East Midlands rivalry and whilst Bamford may have enjoyed his six months on loan with the Rams he would undoubtedly love to end their promotion hopes in a Leeds United shirt.