Patrick Bamford explains Leeds United change of plan following Crystal Palace outing
Striker Patrick Bamford has saluted the latest chapter in his Leeds United comeback against Crystal Palace after a Whites change of plan.
Bamford endured a torrid run with injuries during the 2021-22 campaign but started his second game in succession in Friday's friendly against the Eagles at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The no 9 said the initial intention was to play 90 minutes with a view to staging another match against Palace for those less involved the next day but that the large number of absentees in the Eagles squad had led to a rethink.
On a bumpy pitch, Leeds went ahead in the 56th minute through a Rodrigo penalty awarded after Crysencio Summerville was fouled but Palace levelled 11 minutes later as Jean-Philippe Mateta tapped home from a rapid counter.
"It was slippy!" smiled Bamford on LUTV, providing his post-match thoughts.
"But obviously it's nice.
"It's a big stadium, a lovely stadium, and hopefully the fans enjoyed it. It was a good pre-season game.
"The original plan was that I was going to play 90 and try and Palace tomorrow - the rest of the team who didn't play as much.
"But obviously they have had a slightly smaller squad with the Covid stuff so just 45 share it around and then we will do tough running tomorrow morning."