Patrick Bamford's Leeds United form could leave him knocking at England's door, says Gary Neville

Patrick Bamford’s stunning start to the Premier League season has seen the striker earn high praise with hints his form could leave him knocking at England’s door.

The 27-year-old forward has scored six league goals in the opening stages of the Whites' first top flight campaign for 16 years, which included an impressive hat-trick against Aston Villa last week.

Bamford became the club’s first player to strike three times in a Premier League fixture since former fans’ favourite Mark Viduka did so in 2003.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have won three of their opening six outings as a newly-promoted outfit, with the Argentine relying heavily on his number nine to provide the firepower this term.

Bamford was heavily criticised for his lack of killer instinct amid United’s promotion push last season but has done his talking on the pitch among England’s elite.

Gary Neville is one of those who has been left hugely impressed by the former Chelsea man, believing his current form doesn’t leave him far from a possible Three Lions inclusion.

“I think Bamford came up [to the Premier League] with the reputation of not being the best finisher or the best goalscorer,” Neville said of Bamford, who is also eligible for Ireland.

“That was well-founded, but that goal [Bamford’s opening goal against Aston Villa], I mean that’s just a poacher’s goal. The other two are really, really special.

“I still cannot really work out the technique behind his second. He doesn’t really bend it. He doesn’t really hit it with his laces.

“It’s almost like these Ronaldo-like free-kicks where he cuts across it. But you very rarely see them in open play. It’s an absolutely brilliant finish.

“His work ethic, the way in which he leads the line, the way in which he pressurises and his out-of-possession work is unbelievable. And then, you put the third with it: touch, touch, finish.

“I mean it’s very early, but you are not far away from being an England player.

“If you work hard, you are 6ft 2, you lead the line, you run in-behind, you cause a nightmare for defenders and score goals like that. You are knocking on the door."