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Marcelo Bielsa provides fitness update on Leeds United’s Liam Cooper

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Leeds United defender Liam Cooper has not played since the start of December.

Leeds United's Marcelo Bielsa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United  at City Ground on January 1, 2019 in Nottingham, England.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has told Leeds Live that Liam Cooper will have to drop to the under-23 side.

Leeds captain Cooper has been out since the start of December, and underwent knee surgery to correct the problem last month.

The centre-back is now edging closer to fitness, in what is a boost for Leeds.

But Bielsa will not throw him straight back into Leeds’ line-up, as he likes returning players to get their match sharpness back by playing for the development side.

Leeds are now set to take on Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup this weekend, and it is Luke Ayling who will get the nod to play in the heart of defence.

“Ayling needs to play because he feels he has not reached 100% of his performance,” Bielsa said. “With [Kalvin] Phillips suspended and Liam Cooper will play with the U23 before the Championship.”

Cooper’s return will be a boost to Leeds, as they have struggled badly with injury this term.

Liam Cooper of Millwall is sent off during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Millwall at Elland Road on January 20, 2018 in Leeds, England.

The Whites have suffered fitness problems with a number of their key players, but they have still managed to perform brilliantly.

Leeds lead the way in the Championship, although they have suffered back-to-back defeats most recently and will be keen to get back to winning ways at Loftus Road on Sunday.

Liam Cooper of Leeds United celebrates after the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Middlesbrough at Elland Road on November 19, 2017 in Leeds, England.