MARCELO Bielsa insisted goalscorer Patrick Bamford will be positive about his season even if it does not end in England selection following Leeds’ 2-0 win at Saints.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Bamford poked the ball through the legs of Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to give his side a 73rd-minute lead.

The striker had only one top-flight goal to his name before this season, despite spells at Crystal Palace, Norwich, Burnley and Middlesbrough, with his solitary strike coming for the latter against Southampton in May 2017.

Tuesday’s goal at St Mary’s was Bamford’s 16th of the season and does no harm to his chances of securing a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros.

Substitute Tyler Roberts then sealed victory in added time when he tapped the ball into the back of the net.

“Patrick had a very generous performance with a lot of effort and he’s had a season in which he’s shone and I’m sure he’ll be very positive about the campaign he’s had, be what may,” Bielsa said.

“Everything that he’s achieved this season is because of the dedication and effort that he’s put in to show off his abilities.”

Victory on the south coast guarantees a top-10 finish for Leeds following last season’s promotion.

On Roberts’ first Premier League goal, the Leeds boss added: “I was happy that he scored because he had played many games and hadn’t managed to do it.

“The team in the second half looked a lot more like the team that it is.”