Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford apologises to Crystal Palace fans

Patrick Bamford has apologised via Twitter for critical comments he made about his time at Crystal Palace upon ending his loan spell there on Monday.

The promising forward has rarely featured this season, but having played against Swansea in his last appearance for the club, said: "If I were being honest, it has been terrible.

"No one wants to sit on the bench and not play. It was my decision. The gaffer (Alan Pardew) hasn't actually spoken to me."

Bamford has since been linked with a loan move to Swansea, and it has also been reported that Chelsea's interim manager Guus Hiddink hopes to retain him, but in his apology he insisted his comments had been taken out of context and that his real feelings surrounding his time at Palace are far more positive than they appeared.

"My comments after the game at the weekend were taken completely out of context and for that I apologise," he wrote.

"I've really enjoyed my time at Palace, the lads were brilliant, the gaffer and training were great.

"I want to thank the chairman (Steve Parish) as I couldn't have been at a nicer club, I'm just disappointed I couldn't do more for the team but wish them all the best for the second half of the season and thank the fans for their amazing support every weekend."