'He is flying' - Liam Cooper heaps praise on Leeds United teammate for Elland Road form

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has hailed the impact of Patrick Bamford on the Elland Road outfit.

The Whites are enjoying a successful return to the Premier League following promotion back to the top flight after 16 years away last summer.

Marcelo Bielsa's side have returned an impressive 32 points from 22 games this season, which sees them sit in 10th place ahead of this weekend's trip to face Arsenal in the capital.

Bamford has been a key part of United's impressive campaign in West Yorkshire, having bagged 12 goals and five assists whilst leading the line for the Whites in England's top division.

Cooper - who has made 16 appearances himself this term after leading his boyhood club back to Premier League - admits Bielsa and his squad have seen the quality of United's number nine on a daily basis at Thorp Arch.

"[Patrick Bamford] is absolutely flying," Cooper said.

"We see it every day in training. He works so hard for the team, he gives us a focal point to play off. When he gets a chance he puts it away and he's got there through hard work.

"Hopefully he can continue to do what he is doing as he has been unbelievable for us."

Asked about the club's ambitions after Leeds moved 17 points clear of the relegation zone with a win over Crystal Palace on Monday, he said: "We pride ourselves on working hard, so hopefully we can continue to do that.

"I said last week we want to finish as high as we can. We are under no illusions about how difficult the league is. Every game is a different challenge.

"I know it is cliche and I know you hear it a lot but all we can do is concentrate on the next game, what will be will be at the end of the season.

"Our target at the start of the season was to stay in the league so hopefully we can do that. We talked about getting a home win [against Palace] and a clean sheet and we managed to do that.

"I thought we were really good. We limited a good Crystal Palace team to not many chances and we took our chances at the other end.

"I'm proud of the boys and we look to improve every single day."