David Prutton on why England boss Gareth Southgate should put Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford in Euros squad

Three Lions boss Southgate will name his squad for this summer's delayed European Championships on Tuesday lunchtime and Whites no 9 Bamford was the second highest scoring Englishman of the 2020-21 Premier League campaign.

Only Tottenham's England captain Harry Kane outscored Bamford who ended the season with 17 goals in addition to seven assists.

Bamford netted one more goal than Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was named in Southgate's latest squad in addition to Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins who netted three less goals than the Whites no 9 in the current campaign.

Bamford also contributed more assists than both Watkins and Calvert-Lewin put together yet is still waiting for a first senior international call.

In Prutton's view, the time for that call is now after an impressive season leading the line for Leeds who recorded a ninth-placed finish upon their Premier League return.

"Get him in there," Sky Sports host Prutton told the YEP.

"He's got no tournament baggage and he's a great team player who is a hard worker and selfless.

"He's performed under pressure at a big club and always rises to the challenge of the questions against him.

"He's an all round good egg."

Southgate is set to name his squad for the Euros at 1pm on Tuesday afternoon.

UEFA are permitting nations to name 26-man squads due to the difficulties caused by coronavirus although only 23 players can be named on any matchday team sheet.

Southgate has a vast array of striking options at his disposal as Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford and Manchester City star Raheem Sterling also both appear banker bets to make Southgate's Euros squad and the versatile duo can both play upfront.

Red Devils youngster Mason Greenwood is another centre forward option along with Newcastle United's Callum Wilson and Southampton's Danny Ings.

Prutton also believes Bamford would have been a strong contender to have been named Leeds United's player of the year.

The club's versatile extraordinaire Stuart Dallas instead picked up the gong at Sunday night's end of season awards and Prutton agreed with the decision but said Bamford must have at least run Dallas close.

"I would go along with that but I think Patrick jumps up as well," said Prutton.

"Patrick is a very bright, intelligent and self aware fella and he will know that people will have been looking at him this season and saying 'go on then, show us what you can do.

"I think it's testament to his importance to the team that even when stellar signings have come in he has been possibly one of the first names on the team sheet and again when he has come back he has been one of the first names on the team sheet."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/patrick-bamford-declares-second-season-intention-as-leeds-united-striker-awaits-gareth-southgates-england-decision-3247705

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/confident-leeds-united-reveal-latest-on-kalvin-phillips-injury-ahead-of-gareth-southgates-england-euros-squad-announcement-3247833

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Thank you Laura Collins