Striker Patrick Bamford is eager to help MK Dons progress through to the Fourth Round of The FA Cup with Budweiser in his final game for the Club tomorrow afternoon.
expires on Sunday.mkstadiumBamford’s parent club Chelsea confirmed on Friday afternoon that Bamford will join Championship outfit Derby County on loan until the end of the season next week, once his current deal at
The England Under-21 international, therefore, will take to the field in Dons colours for the final time at Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium and the 20-year-old is keen to mark his last game with a goal and a performance to help lead the side into the next stage of The FA Cup.
He told MK Dons Player: “It would be nice if I could cap (my last game) off with a goal to send us through but we’ll see what happens.
“I’ve loved and enjoyed every minute here and it was nice of the fans to show their appreciation for me (on Wednesday) because the way they’ve cheered me on has meant a lot and I’m very thankful.
“I don’t think many people realise that I’ve been here for a year now, because last year was a bit disrupted by injury and it took a bit of time for me to find my feet after that.
“Obviously this year I feel as though I’ve come on leaps and bounds with help from everyone, from Karl (Robinson) to Gary (Waddock) to Damo (Damien Doyle). How well I’ve done is also down to the team as well because playing in this team is easy because they create a lot of chances.
“I owe a lot to the fans but also everyone at the Club.”
Once Saturday’s FA Cup tie is over Bamford will link up pack his bags and prepare to link up with Steve McClaren’s Derby County side, who occupy fourth place in English football’s second tier.
And although disappointed to be leaving Milton Keynes, the former Nottingham Forest trainee is excited by his new challenge. He added: “Throughout the month of December, I was having meetings with Chelsea just to discuss everything.
“There was a real debate whether to leave me here - because obviously I was settled and playing well - or try to challenge me and, in the end, everyone agreed that I was ready for that next step.”
“In order to get myself ready to play for Chelsea I need to be pushing myself every chance I can get and the Championship is the next step for me.”
