Liam Cooper has missed much of Leeds United’s pre-season with injury.
Garry Monk has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Leeds United defender Liam Cooper has exactly the same injury that he had during his playing days.
Cooper has tweaked his calf muscle, meaning that he has had to miss out on much of pre-season so far.
It is a major frustration for the centre-back, but Monk is keen not to take any risks with Cooper’s recovery – as he has seen the consequences of coming back too quickly.
“Berra’s [Gaetano Berardi’s] very much closer than Coops. He’s back out on the field and very near to training.
“Coops is a bit longer – a little bit by design to be honest. I’ve suffered the same injury, a slight tear in his calf, but the position it’s in means you can come back too quick.
“I learned the lesson in my career because that’s what I did. I was out for another six weeks on top.
“He might be ready to start again now but I think it’s better just to give him a bit longer. It’s better that than another six weeks out.”
Cooper’s absence leaves Leeds looking short of centre-backs heading into the new campaign.
Garry Monk’s only two other options in his senior squad are Sol Bamba and Kyle Bartley, with Toumani Diagouraga having to fill in in the centre of defence over pre-season.
Leeds are thought to be looking to add a new centre-back before the competitive campaign starts, but time is running out.
Leeds begin the new campaign with a match against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in under two weeks’ time.
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