Leeds United could do with some good news on the injury front at the moment and today that’s exactly what’s happened. Club captain Liam Cooper is back in training after he was expected to be out for around six weeks, and it’s a boost ahead of the festive schedule.
Leeds currently have one of the biggest injury lists seen at the club in recent years. Currently we have Izzy Brown and now Liam Cooper returning from injury, Luke Ayling also expected to be back in training later this week. Gaetano Berardi and Stuart Dallas are longer term and Jamal Blackman was sent back to Chelsea after picking up a season-ending injury. Adam Forshaw, Barry Douglas, Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez have all been injured for periods of time this campaign and we haven’t even reached the halfway mark yet. Luckily many of the youngsters who have been asked to come in and do a job have excelled.
Back in training 👊 @LiamCooper__ pic.twitter.com/v6QGlu13c9
— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 19, 2018
Liam Cooper was injured early in the Yorkshire derby away at Sheffield United and wasn’t expected back until the new year. Although he may not feature this weekend it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Marcelo Bielsa rotate him into the side with Kalvin Phillips playing at centre-back at the moment. Phillips is playing extremely well but may be needed in midfield with the hectic schedule upon us and a few of the players playing almost, if not every game this season.
Cooper was in some fine form before the injury and bar one or two poor performances in which others have been very poor as well he has had a very good season, certainly his best in a Leeds United shirt. Questions are being asked on the national stage as to whether Cooper should be in the Scotland side and in the form he’s been in it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear of a call-up at some stage in the very near future under Alex McLeish.
