Leeds United beat Aston Villa 2-0 in their latest outing.
Garry Monk has told BBC Radio Leeds that Liam Cooper may well have started for Leeds United against Aston Villa, had he have been fit.
Cooper was kept on the sidelines with a minor injury for the fixture, which meant that Pontus Jansson was restored to the starting line-up, to accompany Kyle Bartley in the heart of Leeds’ defence.
However, Monk has hinted that Cooper would have been in the backline, had he not have been ruled out of the clash.
“We are hoping that he will be back for the Brighton game, which is a big boost for us,” Monk said. “If he hadn’t been injured he would have had a great chance of starting tonight.”
Cooper has generally been utilised in reserve for Leeds this season, but he did an excellent job when coming in for Jansson recently.
Monk has always spoken very highly of the 25-year-old, but breaking up Jansson’s and Bartley’s partnership has been difficult.
Leeds have looked very solid at the back this season, with both Bartley and Jansson proving to be brilliant signings.
The Whites are now in fourth place in the Championship table, after a brilliant run of form has lifted them up the standings.
Leeds are next in action on Friday evening, when they take on fellow promotion chasers Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
