Liam Cooper arrives back at Thorp Arch in shock twist after Leeds United exit
Liam Cooper visited Leeds United to assess his latest injury despite leaving the club in the summer, according to Tema Sport and Fakti.
The defender picked up an injury in what was only his second appearance for CSKA Sofia, who he joined on a free transfer in September after departing Elland Road.
Bulgarian outlet Fakti reported via their website on Monday (14 October) that Cooper used the international break to jet to England and have the issue checked by the medical staff at Thorp Arch.
It has since emerged that the Scot has torn a muscle fibre in his abdomen, making him a major doubt for the club’s derby encounter against Levski Sofia on Saturday (19 October).
Former Leeds United captain Liam Cooper keen to prove mettle in Bulgaria
Cooper is back in Bulgaria now and is determined to do everything he can to be available against Levski, with the idea of taking painkillers for the game under consideration.
It shows that the centre-back is willing to meet the standards he has set for himself even at 33 years of age and when injured.
This also raises the question of whether Leeds United should have kept Cooper, who was close to joining Bolton Wanderers before joining CSKA Sofia (The Bolton News, 14 October), at the club for one more season.
Not only does the Scot strive to set standards in the dressing room, but he would have also been a decent squad player as the Whites look to earn promotion.
Max Wober’s injury is already making Daniel Farke’s side look thin at the back, with Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon the only available senior central defenders.
Leeds United currently face the prospect of having to throw 19-year-old James Debayo in at the deep end should something happen to those two.
In other Leeds news, the Whites will assess Ao Tanaka’s fitness after he played the full 90 minutes for Japan against Australia on Tuesday (15 October).
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