By Frank McAvennie

29th Sep, 2023 | 11:18am

Patrick Bamford facing Leeds United axe - 'this is his problem', says pundit

Daniel Farke has lost trust in Patrick Bamford to be his go-to striker for Leeds United.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie suggested Bamford needs to prove the the Leeds boss that he can stay fit enough to play every week.

The 30-year-old is yet to feature for the Whites this season after suffering a hamstring injury before the start of this year’s Championship campaign.

As quoted by LeedsLive (28 September), Farke comfirmed that Bamford is nearing a return to action and said this week of training has been “massively beneficial” as part of his recovery.

The striker started 18 Premier League games last term in a stop start season throughout which he struggled with various injury problems.

The Whites finished 19th and were relegated to the Championship, a competition where Bamford scored 17 goals in 38 appearances last time out.

McAvennie suggested his inability to stay fit will be his downfall at Elland Road.

“He is getting a lot of injuries now,” he told Football Insider.

“That is his problem he scores a goal and then he gets injured in the celebration.

“You need him in the team and you need him every week when he is scoring goals and fit any playing every week but he is not doing it now.

“He would have scored bundles of goals in the Championship and it would have been great for him but he is obviously not in the manager’s plans because he can’t trust him. Bamford needs to prove his is fit before he gets a chance.“

In other news, Leeds to offer star pay hike as pre-January deal lined up.