Joe Roberts

Wed 9 August 2023 7:10, UK

Leeds United pair Liam Cooper and Crysencio Summerville are set for stints on the sidelines after sustaining injuries against Cardiff City, according to Sky Sports News reporter Julian Warren.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News (8 August, 08:23 pm), the reporter claimed that both goalscorers in their 2-2 opening day draw to Cardiff City are expected to miss weeks of action, with Cooper set to miss eight weeks and Summerville up to three.

Warren also provided an update on Junior Firpo, with the full-back expected to be missing for another four weeks.

On Sky Sports News, Warren said: “It’s a double blow, I’m afraid Leeds fans. First of all, Liam Cooper. There was a worry at the weekend when he suffered an injury, a rupture to his plantar fascia that he suffered against Cardiff City. The Leeds captain is out for up to eight weeks.

“Bad news as well for Crysencio Summerville, who scored the equaliser late in the night. He picked up a groin strain and he is out for up to three weeks.

“And you’ve got Junior Firpo still recovering from a ligament injury in his knee. He is out for four more weeks.”

Double trouble

Having two key first-teamers miss the opening stretch of the first season back in the second division is not exactly what Farke would have wanted.

In a cruel twist of irony, the two players who helped drag Leeds from an embarrassing opening-day defeat to the Welsh side are now set to miss out for a significant period.

Farke remained calm following the draw. Speaking post-match, as reported by LeedsLive (7 August), Farke said: “Well, first of all, I want them to win football games so we were one goal away from winning the game. I think for the first game under these circumstances so performance wise was really good.”

He may be feeling less optimistic following this news.

Leeds will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing result and losing key players will make this tough. The Whites face Shrewsbury Town on Wednesday (9 August) in the EFL Cup and will hope a strong performance in front of the Elland Road crowd could reinvigorate damaged expectations.

Cooper’s absence will be significant. With young players around him like Leo Hjelde and new recruit Ethan Ampadu, the Scotsman’s experience and leadership makes him vital to Leeds.

Summerville meanwhile is one of the attack’s strongest players and a dangerous source of goals in the Championship.

Leeds fans will hope the bad news ends, and hope for a change in fortune as they continue their promotion campaign,

In other Leeds United news, another Premier League club has shown interest in one of the Whites’ most promising forwards.