Leeds are struggling at centre-back ahead of Sunday’s clash.
Liam Cooper has provided Leeds United with a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s difficult clash against Aston Villa by returning to training following his injury against Sheffield United earlier this month.
Cooper, 27, has been excellent for Leeds and arguably one of the club’s most important players under Marcelo Bielsa, after he was given the nod to captain the Whites this season.
He injured his knee 21 minutes into Leeds’ 1-0 win over the Blades and was replaced by Aapo Halme. It saw the ex-Chesterfield defender travel to Rome to undergo surgery on the problem.
There were concerns that Cooper would be out for quite some time after going under the knife, but Cooper will have delighted Leeds fans and surprised many by already returning to training – two weeks after his operation.
In his absence, Leeds have used Kalvin Phillips at centre-back, dropping the midfielder back from his ‘number-four’ role. Adam Forshaw has covered Phillips in midfield.
Cooper has indeed been excellent this season, scoring three goals in 18 games from centre-back and helping the Whites keep eight clean sheets in those appearances.
It remains to be seen whether Cooper will be fit enough to face Dean Smith’s Villa on Sunday afternoon, though his return to training four days before the match will certainly come as a surprise boost to the Whites.
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