Phil Hay: Robin Koch will return to Leeds United training on Monday
Phil Hay has shared that Leeds United defender Robin Koch has been absent from training due to illness, with the German not set to make a return until Monday.
That will see the 25-year-old miss Saturday’s trip to title-chasing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, adding to the already mounting selection concerns facing Marcelo Bielsa.
Hay revealed that Koch has been out of action for the last 10 days due to illness, slowing down what has already been a lengthy return to action for the former Freiburg man.
Writing for The Athletic this morning, Hay shared that there is a boost right around the corner for Leeds.
“Robin Koch is currently not training after being ill for the last 10 days. He will return on Monday.”
Frustration
Koch has been out since August with a pelvic problem and will no doubt be frustrated to have suffered another setback in his recovery, at a time when the Elland Road outfit are drastically short of options in defence.
Captain Liam Cooper and versatile midfielder Kalvin Phillips both suffered hamstring injuries in the draw with Brentford at the weekend, reducing the potential options at Bielsa’s disposal to fill in at centre-back.
That leaves Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk as the only senior options in the centre of defence, albeit with the latter man himself only just returning to fitness after his recent hip issue.
As he has done on occasion, reliable full-back Luke Ayling may potentially be required to fill in in central defence, although it is a far from ideal situation amid what is proving to be a testing time for the club as they look to avoid getting dragged into a relegation fight.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to make major January signings with unexpected deals to force action