MOT Leeds News speaking to Paul Robinson

Wed 4 May 2022 8:10, UK

We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...

Paul Robinson hopes Liam Cooper will be able to return for Leeds United when they face Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

Cooper, 30, missed Leeds’ 4-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend with Jesse Marsch’s injury problems growing at the worst possible time.

According to BBC Radio Leeds journalist Adam Pope on 30 April, the Scotland defender “has a knee problem” and will have to undergo a scan to determine whether he’s ready to play against the Gunners this weekend or not.

Cooper has only recently returned from a long-term hamstring injury and Robinson feels as though it was wise for Marsch to avoid risking Cooper against Man City in order to potentially have him available for the final four games.

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “You only have to look at when Cooper’s come back into the team when he and Kalvin Phillips kept two clean sheets.

“It’s not just his performances that are good but his leadership qualities are as well both on and off the field.

“Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk all look better players when they play alongside Cooper just because of that.

“He’s got a good understanding of the game and when he doesn’t play, I think it’s more of a communication issue.

“It’ll be a big loss for Leeds if he’s out any longer.

“If it was a case of missing the Manchester City game and then playing the rest of the season or playing the Man City game and missing the season, they’ve made the right choice.

“You’d much rather him miss one and play the rest.”

In Cooper’s last five full Premier League matches where he’s played 90 minutes, Leeds have kept four clean sheets and conceded just once.

In other Leeds United news, Richard Keys has shared his relegation view on the Whites after the latest twist in the Premier League.