Liam Cooper picks up hamstring injury in Leeds 2-2 draw v Brentford
Leeds United have been dealt another injury blow as Liam Cooper only lasted 13 minutes during Sunday’s 2-2 draw to Brentford at Elland Road.
The Whites skipper appeared to have injured his hamstring in today’s (5 December) game, with Leeds-Live journalist Jon Donnohue taking to his personal Twitter account to react during the game.
Cooper was replaced by Jack Harrison as Luke Ayling moved to central defence after Marcelo Bielsa opted for a back-three, and the Argentine will be hoping the centre-back can return very soon.
Donnohue posted: “Cooper going off here after 13 minutes.”
Huge blow?
Ayling and Patrick Bamford only just returned to the matchday squad after weeks of being out injured, and seeing Cooper limp off was not good.
The Scotland international featured in every minute of Leeds opening 14 games of the campaign, proving crucial when both Robin Koch and Diego Llorente were out injured.
Bielsa is not particularly short of options at the back as he can play a back-three or even deploy Kalvin Phillips as a centre-back, but being without his captain will be a huge blow.
The Whites will be playing a lot of games between now and next month, and another injury blow is the last thing they need.
Scans will still determine for how long Cooper will be out, but seeing him go off could mean he will be missing some days of training.
Leeds travel to Chelsea on Saturday (11 December) before travelling to Manchester City three days later.
Arsenal follow before a trip to Liverpool on Boxing Day, and the Whites need everyone fit for those tough fixtures ahead of the second half of the campaign.
In other Leeds United news, a major update on Whites January bid to sign attacker has been provided, with pen-to-paper imminent.