Bamford Stars For Chelsea U21s  (Sky Sports)

Patrick Bamford was in full flow for Chelsea's U21 side on Tuesday afternoon with a fine double in a training ground friendly.

The 22-year-old striker, who recently had to apologise to Crystal Palace for his comments after bringing an early end to his loan spell at Selhurst Park, was urged last week by Blues boss Guus Hiddink to "prove himself".

He is not allowed to feature in any competitive match for Chelsea if he wants to move to another Premier League club on loan during the transfer window for the rest of the season.

The former Nottingham Forest trainee was signed by Chelsea in January 2012 and has since been on loan spells with MK Dons, Derby, Middlesbrough and Palace.

And Bamford showed plenty of reasons why he was voted last season's Championship Player of the Year on Tuesday against a young Eagles side.

His first goal was the pick of the bunch which began with an array of trickery on the edge of the box before he curled in a cracker with his left boot.

Bamford's form will please Hiddink who said last week: "He hardly played at Palace so that's why he has to prove himself. He has to make a step because he didn't play so much over there. For the moment, he will stay with the U21s."

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins is a big fan of Bamford and told Sky Sports Now on January 5: "When a side like Chelsea are playing to the ability that they have I'm sure you can throw a young man in and give him an opportunity to play.

"I'm sure Bamford, who scored 19 goals for Middlesbrough in the Championship last season, would score goals for Chelsea because he is a very bright human being."