Leeds United captain Liam Cooper on the verge of injury return after Scotland national team selection – Graham Smyth
Leeds United captain Liam Cooper is on the verge of returning from injury after being named in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the upcoming international break, according to Graham Smyth.
The Scottish defender has started just 12 of Leeds’ 26 Premier League matches this term due to a string of injuries, with Luke Ayling taking the armband in his stead.
The 31-year-old hasn’t featured for the Whites since the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in February – Jesse Marsch’s last game before being sacked as manager at the West Yorkshire club.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday (14 March), Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth shared the news that Cooper could be closing in on a return to action under Javi Gracia after being named in the Scotland 23-man squad to face Cyprus and Spain.
He wrote: “Leeds United captain Liam Cooper closing in on a return to action.
“Called up for the March internationals [for Scotland].”
Finally
Cooper’s injury return will bring so much to Leeds not just on the pitch, but also off it.
Although the defender has had his critics at times, he has been there and done it with Leeds many times, and this could be crucial as the relegation battle intensifies over the coming weeks.
Whenever a club is in and around the bottom three in the closing stages of the season, it usually comes down to leaders such as Cooper to pick up the team and instil confidence that certain players might be lacking.
At times this season, fans will argue that Leeds have lacked a streetwise nature. If you look at what the likes of Sean Dyche and James Tarkowski have brought to Everton in recent weeks, it highlights the glaring weakness within this Whites squad.
With Cooper returning from the medical table and Rodrigo raring to get his name on the scoresheet after the international break, you have to believe that Gracia’s team will have enough quality to edge away from the relegation zone.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared a massive regret of the Elland Road faithful as the club made an official announcement a few days ago.
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest, breaking news from Elland Road.