Patrick Bamford’s absence explained as Sheffield United step up preparations for final friendly
Patrick Bamford absence explained as Sheffield United step up preparations for final friendly
Sheffield United stepped up their preparations for their final friendly against Bochum with an intense training session on the neighbouring pitch this morning. The Blades wrap up their pre-season against Uwe Rosler’s side tomorrow.
Amongst the travelling party were the likes of Gus Hamer and Harrison Burrows, linked with moves away this summer, but one notable absentee was striker Patrick Bamford.
The striker has been earmarked for another big season after finishing as United’s top scorer last term, despite only joining after it had started. His absence would ordinarily raise eyebrows amongst a fanbase looking for transfer clues at every opportunity.
But the reason for his absence is rather more innocuous - his partner is due to give birth imminently and he has been granted permission to remain in England and work on his own as a result.
Also staying behind at Shirecliffe is goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, who is expected to leave again this summer, but Mark McGuinness and Nils Zatterstrom are both here.