Leeds United: Sky Sports host David Prutton makes 'gutted' Liam Cooper claim after Pascal Struijk news
Sky Sports host David Prutton believes Liam Cooper will be "gutted" by the news that Leeds United team-mate Pascal Struijk is facing a spell on the sidelines, but has backed the defender to make the most of his opportunity.
Leeds confirmed this week that Struijk has undergone a hernia operation to rectify a long-term problem he has been suffering from, with manager Daniel Farke backing the decision.
Club captain Cooper is the obvious like-for-like replacement to fill in alongside Joe Rodon, starting with the visit of Plymouth Argyle to Elland Road on Saturday (11 November).
Prutton wrote in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post [11 November]: "[Cooper] will be gutted for Pascal but any professional footballer worth their salt will be relishing the chance to get back in the team and then see what happens when Pascal is fit again.
"Then it's can Pascal get his shirt back? It's elite level sport. It's a great team spirit and a great collective at Leeds."
Step up
Cooper has had to remain patient for his chance due to the strong connection built up by Rodon and Struijk, but he may now get a run of games in the heart of defence.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday (9 November), Farke said it is too early to give a timeframe for the Dutchman's absence, but he will definitely miss the Plymouth match.
Farke also has the option of turning to Luke Ayling, Ethan Ampadu, Charlie Cresswell or Leo Hjelde, but Cooper is undoubtedly the best natural option to partner Rodon.
Since playing the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 loss to Southampton at the end of September, Cooper has featured for less than half an hour in a Leeds shirt.
The Scotland international now has to step up, though, and it may well be that he makes himself undroppable with a strong display against Argyle.
In other Leeds United news, journalist Graham Smyth has shared his views on something "interesting" said by Farke this week.