Patrick Bamford has revealed that his friendship with Leeds United team-mate Lewis Baker is helping him through his injury.
The 25-year-old striker is currently recovering from a PCL injury in his knee which he picked up playing for the Under-23s in the international break and is expected to be back in action at the start of next year.
Being sidelined means that Bamford has to occupy himself in new ways and he has found himself having quite a few arguments with £1million-a-year (Spotrac) Chelsea loanee Baker when the are playing certain games with one another.
“I’ve got good friends around me. I’m really good mates with Lewis Baker. He lives literally a 30-second drive away from me, so I hang out with him a lot,” he said, as quoted by LeedsLive.
“Yes, just find different things to pass the time. I’ll find new hobbies and see where it takes me.
“We had games night last night at Lew’s house. We played a game called Linkee, so just things like that, just a good laugh, things that would take your mind off it.
“Everything me and Lew do is so competitive, honestly it’s like two brothers, always arguing about irrelevant stuff, but funny arguments.”
OPINION
Bamford has a long way to go on his road to recovery and hopefully by the time he is back to fitness he hasn’t lost any of his ability or pace. The 25-year-old had barely been used by Marcelo Bielsa since he was signed from Middlesbrough in the summer, with him yet to start in the Championship. However Kemar Roofe is also currently injured so there is no doubt that Bamford would be in the Leeds starting line-up right now if he was fit. Tyler Roberts looks as though he is doing a good job as Bielsa’s third-choice striker. The former West Brom striker scored a brace against Preston and is expected to lead the line against Birmingham this weekend when Leeds take on Garry Monk’s side. Bamford will obviously be gutted he cannot play for the Whites at the moment, but at least Chelsea loanee Baker is keeping him good company.