Leeds United injury news as Liam Cooper mooted to return for West Ham United clash
Leeds United could possibly have Liam Cooper back from injury for their penultimate Premier League game against West Ham United [21 May], according to ChronicleLive.
The veteran defender has struggled with injuries for much of the campaign, only managing 15 Premier League starts so far this season.
Cooper only lasted 34 minutes in their disappointing 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth [30 April] – Javi Gracia’s last match in charge – and new manager Sam Allardyce admitted he’s not sure when he’ll return.
However, Chronicle Live in their report on 10 May have mooted a possible return for the club captain for their crucial clash against West Ham United at the London Stadium on 21 May.
Desperately needed
Leeds United are really last-chance saloon territory now as Allardyce and his men have three more games to rescue themselves from relegation damnation. Starting against Newcastle on Saturday [13 May], the former Blackburn Rovers boss certainly has some big decisions to make.
The question is whether the Whites can grab some much-needed three points this weekend without the help of their captain Cooper.
Maximilian Wober and Robin Koch are able deputies and have proven themselves very capable of replacing their captain on numerous occasions this season.
However, in such difficult circumstances, Cooper’s leadership and experience are desperately needed right now and that penultimate game against West Ham United could well decide their fate for next season.
The Whites must ensure they are in good stead when that game comes around because another damaging defeat against Newcastle on Saturday could plunge them into further relegation ignominy. Can they do without their defensive leader at the back too?
In other Leeds United news, one talented Premier League manager has emerged as a potential candidate to take over as Whites boss for next season.