Injury Expert shares if Leeds United defender Liam Cooper faces fitness issues ahead of Southampton clash
We’re delighted to welcome injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the injury situation at Leeds United...
Leeds United defender Liam Cooper will continue working on his fitness but is unlikely to miss any more games, according to Dr Rajpal Brar.
The Scotland international returned to the starting lineup as the Whites cruised to a 3-0 victory against Watford over the weekend.
He had been missing in action since the opening weekend in August and returned on 20 September to play under 30 minutes v Hull City off the bench.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Brar, a specialist in Physical Therapy and Sports Scientist, said about Cooper:
“Foot rehab can be a little tricky because of the load placed through the foot during football and the fact it’s the only direct contact point with the ground.
“The rehab procedure will be a methodical progression of strength, mobility, and control that moves towards sports-specific activities with close monitoring of how the plantar fascia and the rest of his body are responding.
“He was back at the weekend and there’s no reason to think that he won’t be able to start the next game despite working back his fitness.“
Cooper scored the goal on August 6 and once again looked sharp in what was just his second start of the Championship season.
The 32-year-old is expected to have Charlie Cresswell and Joe Rodon fighting for his spot in the eleven as well.
Once Rodon is back, it remains to be seen if Daniel Farke will play Cooper on the left side of defence or continue to start Pascal Struijk.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims that big European clubs have been keeping tabs on a Whites player for a while and are still willing to sign him.