Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips in ‘final stages’ of recovery
Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are in the ‘final stages’ of recovery from their respective injuries, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed.
Both Phillips and Cooper suffered hamstring injuries in the 2-2 draw with Brentford back in December but were pictured back in training last week.
But while both had been expected to be missing until March at least, Bielsa has revealed during his pre-match press conference that both players are now in their final stages of recovery.
“Cooper and Phillips are in the final stages of their recovery from their operations,” Bielsa said.
According to journalist Adam Pope, the club are hopeful that they could be available to return to action ‘within a week or two’.
Huge boost
Leeds have struggled with injury problems all season, but getting two key players back at the same time after a relatively disappointing transfer window is huge for the team.
Phillips and Cooper are automatic starters in the spine of the team when fit, and while they may take a while to get back up to speed having them in the team is an immediate boost to quality and depth.
Bielsa knows he has a task on his hands to try and avoid relegation, with the club currently sitting 15th place with seven points between them and the drop zone.
Having signed nobody in the January window, the club are keen to get their first-team stars back to strengthen their options and that is now edging closer with the return of Phillips and Cooper.
Leeds fans can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and barring any more disruption, can look to build momentum for the end of season run-in now.
In other Leeds news, Club chief was in talks with Kinnear over last-ditch Leeds deal, Monday bid was made – report