Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has been handed a potential boost to his chances of making England’s squad for this summer’s European Championships.
Bamford narrowly missed out on selection for Gareth Southgate’s squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Southgate opted to call up Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins for the matches over the international break, but said it was a “really close call” and that Bamford was “very unfortunate” to miss out on selection.
Bamford has been in fantastic form for Leeds this season, scoring 14 goals and contributing six assists in the Premier League so far.
The 27-year-old was unlucky to miss out last month and will now face a difficult task in working his way back into Southgate’s thoughts before the Euros this summer.
Bamford is competing alongside the likes of Watkins, Southampton’s Danny Ings, Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham and Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood for the third striker spot.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin are sure of their places, if fit, for the tournament, which starts on June 11.
Bookies currently rate Bamford an 8/1 chance to make Southgate’s squad, with the competition for attacking places particularly hot.
Bamford can continue to keep his name in the picture by finishing the season strongly with Leeds in their remaining nine Premier League matches.
However, his chances may have been given a further boost by news that Uefa are considering whether to allow squads of more than 23 players at this summer's tournament.
The European football governing body have already decided to allow sides to use five substitutes and have also discussed the possibility of implementing larger squads at an executive committee meeting on Wednesday.
The idea is that, in the age of coronavirus, bigger squads might be required to cover the chances of positive tests within a camp, given that matches cannot be postponed.
A decision is yet to be made, but Bamford - and perhaps Luke Ayling, who was also discussed by Southgate before the international break - could benefit from the rule being implemented.
After a two-week break, Leeds are back in Premier League action against Sheffield United on Saturday before matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.
