Marcelo Bielsa has told Leeds Live that he ‘doesn’t think’ Liam Cooper’s recent ‘muscular problem’ will ‘stop him’ from playing their EFL encounter against Hull on Wednesday.
Leeds suffered a defeat in their first game back in the Premier League on Saturday when they recorded a thrilling 4-3 encounter against the champions, as Cooper missed the match through injury.
In his place, summer signing Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk played at the heart of their defence, with the former giving away a controversial penalty in the first half.
It remains to be seen who Cooper will come in for if he does start against the League One outfit, as Bielsa offered this positive injury news.
“Cooper came back with a slight muscular problem from playing with Scotland,” Bielsa told Leeds Live. “We don’t think this will stop him from playing in the next match [against Hull].”
Whilst fans may look towards Leeds conceding four goals during their opening Premier League game, it needs to be remembered that they were coming up against the champions.
Leeds United’s first six fixtures of 2020/21
- Liverpool (A)
September 12
- Fulham (H)
September 19
- Sheffield United (A)
September 26
- Manchester City (H)
October 3
- Wolves (H)
October 17
- Aston Villa (A)
October 24
Not only that, but their two centre-halves are also young, and like many of the team, this is the first taste they are getting of top-flight football in England.
Whilst Cooper himself is inexperienced on the Premier League stage, he is still the older and calmer head, which will be needed over the course of this season and for the younger players around him if they are to develop.
After their encounter against Hull, the Yorkshire outfit will be looking to put the first points on the board when they clash against another promoted side in Fulham.
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