LEEDS United boss Daniel Farke has confirmed Patrick Bamford will play no part in Sunday’s Championship playoff final against Southampton.

Bamford had harboured hopes this week of recovering from a knee injury in time to feature in Farke’s squad after missing the previous four matches.

The 30 year old striker sat out back-to-back defeats to QPR and Southampton at the end of the regular season and both legs of Leeds’ semi-final win against Norwich.

Farke said: “Patrick is not available and won’t be there for the game. He will definitely miss out.

“We had some other minor issues this week, but it seems every player will be available, including (Sam) Byram, who returned to team training yesterday.

“If he does not show any reaction he will be in the squad.”

Bamford has scored eight league goals this season for Leeds, with all of them coming since the turn of the year.

Daily Echo: Daniel Farke is disappointed to lose Patrick BamfordDaniel Farke is disappointed to lose Patrick Bamford (Image: PA)

Farke added: “I would have preferred to have Bamford available, but it’s important to face reality and the reality is he is not there.

“So we must find other solutions. I trust my whole group and squad, so there will be no need to search for excuses.

“We’ll go with what we’ve got, although I won’t speak about the (starting line-up) selection itself.”

Leeds are bidding to make it sixth time lucky to win promotion via the play-offs and bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

They missed out on automatic promotion after a poor run-in and although they have lost twice to Southampton already this season, Farke’s side rediscovered top form in the second leg against Norwich.

Farke, who twice guided former club Norwich to automatic promotion to the top flight, said: “We’re pretty focused and concentrated. We know it’s a massive game.

“It’s a final, and for that you’re always more focused on such a game, but it’s also important to stay calm and find a good balance.

“Obviously we are highly motivated, just like our opponents, but we’re all looking forward to having this game. It’s a 50-50 game. It’s a massive game. Anything can happen.

“But this also means it’s a great chance of promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and for that we are really excited.”