Bamford insists he is not cocky as he reveals his own big blunder caused latest Leeds injury

Patrick Bamford has revealed that his desperation to play a “big role” in Leeds United’s fight against relegation factored in his latest injury blow.

The 28-year-old enjoyed his first season back in the Premier League with the Whites. He netted 17 goals and laid on eight assists and played in all 38 matches to help Leeds finish ninth.

This season, though, the Elland Road club have endured a much tougher campaign. They are fighting relegation and key injuries have played their part.

Indeed, Bamford has only played nine league games. He suffered an ankle problem in September, before injuring his hamstring celebrating a goal on his comeback.

The striker then partially tore the ligament in the sole of his foot and returned in Leeds‘ 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa last month. He continued with a bit-part role in the subsequent wins over Norwich and Wolves.

Speaking to Sky Sports, though, Bamford has admitted that he should not have returned so soon.

“I think I was trying to get through the pain and almost forced myself back a little bit to try and help the team,” the Englishman said.

“Without wanting to sound big-headed, I knew that I had a big role to play. I was eager to get back, but it was one of them where I knew eventually it was going to go and it was just a matter of time, really.

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“When I had the partial tear and found out about that, I had the injections and it was building it back up until, really, I was comfortable training and then I eased into matches. I played a little bit in the Villa and Norwich games.

“But when I came off at half-time [of the Norwich game] I was in a bit of pain, so I knew it wasn’t quite right.”

Bamford added: “Going into the Wolves game, if I was honest with myself, I should have said no [to playing]. But then they kept asking me if I wanted to play and I said ‘yes.’

“As soon as I started the warm-up [at Wolves], I knew. There were four actions where it started tearing and then the last one I knew something had happened.”

Bamford could return for Leeds season finale

Bamford’s latest injury saw him come off midway through the first half against Wolves.

He looked visibly upset as he sat on the bench, before Leeds recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

Bamford is now out for another six weeks. Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch therefore revealed that he could make the final two games of the season.

In any case, Marsch added that the striker “is pain free which he hasn’t been for the last four months.”

Leeds return to action after the international break when playing Southampton at Elland Road.