Cooper has returned to Leeds training, seemingly ahead of schedule.
Liam Cooper will have delighted Leeds United fans after the club posted a video of his return to training on Twitter – and if he is fit enough to face Aston Villa, Marcelo Bielsa will have an easy decision to make.
The 27-year-old skipper suffered a knee injury against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and has since undergone surgery in Rome to correct the problem. Just two weeks later, and he is back at Thorp Arch.
The former Chesterfield defender was expected to be sidelined for much longer than a matter of weeks, but his return comes in the form of a huge boost for Bielsa.
Leeds take on Dean Smith’s free-scoring Villa on Sunday at Villa Park, as they look to make it six wins out of six. Cooper has four days to prove he is fit enough to face the Midlands outfit.
If he can return in time, it leaves Bielsa with an easy decision to make. Indeed, Chelsea loanee Lewis Baker has got to be axed from the starting line-up if Cooper is deemed fit enough to play.
Baker started his second Championship match for Leeds on Saturday as the Whites beat Bolton Wanderers away from home 1-0. But in both of his starts, he has been hooked at half-time by Bielsa.
The former England Under-21 captain has had a tough time of it at Elland Road, featuring more often for the club’s Under-23 side rather than Leeds’ first team.
Kalvin Phillips has been covering Cooper at centre-back, while Forshaw deputises for Phillips in the holding midfield role. If Cooper is fit, Phillips can revert to his number four position, and Forshaw can partner Mateusz Klich – in place of Baker.
Leeds will need to churn out one of their best performances of the season if they are to make it six consecutive wins against a tough Villa side, and having Cooper in the side is key to that. He will surely replace Baker if fit.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
