Leeds travel to Fulham on Saturday and they have received a big pre-match boost, with Marcelo Bielsa revealing that Liam Cooper will be involved in the matchday squad.
What’s the latest?
The Whites skipper has been as resolute as ever when he has appeared for Bielsa’s side this term, but too often he has spent time out on the treatment table, with the latest injury causing him to miss three matches.
However, he revealed he is feeling fit and is ready to challenge for a place in the side, and his manager has suggested he will have a role in the squad this weekend, though it remains to be seen if that means he will start.
He has missed out recently due to suffering a calf strain, and that should be a cause of worry considering he missed matches in October for the same reason.
Proceed with caution
With that in mind, Bielsa would be wise to ease him back into the matchday squad slowly, particularly with so many games coming up thick and fast.
To lose Cooper for any period of time would be a blow to the Whites. It doesn’t only reduce the quality of the players available, but it means there is less cover if another first-team defender gets injured or suspended.
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With that in mind, even though Leeds face an accomplished side with a big goal threat in Fulham, Bielsa must be confident in the other players at his disposal and pick them ahead of the captain.
Cooper possesses valuable leadership qualities which make him a popular figure amongst fans, and though the lack of such attributes contributed to their implosion against Cardiff last time out which saw them squander a three-goal lead, the two defenders who started that match should retain their place in the side.
Ben White and Gaetano Berardi have barely put a foot wrong since the skipper was out and therefore neither deserves to be dropped, especially as they have kept two clean sheets in three games without him.
They should be rewarded for their recent form, while Cooper’s delicate injury situation clearly needs to be managed carefully. The worst-case scenario being that Leeds are without their captain for a large chunk of the season.
The last thing the Whites need is for Cooper to aggravate his injury further and there is a risk of that happening if he is drafted back in so soon. Bielsa needs to be brave and wait before introducing his skipper back into the team.
Meanwhile, fans have been reacting to the news that Adam Forshaw still isn’t fit enough to return, which has raised some disgruntled voices.
