Leeds United have been firing on all cylinders this season and are looking good after taking all three points off Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at the weekend.
That victory, alongside West Brom’s draw on Monday, has given Marcelo Bielsa’s side a four-point cushion heading into the busy festive season but a stern challenge lies ahead if they are to retain their spot in the automatic promotion positions.
A major blow was suffered this week following the injury sustained by captain Liam Cooper, who has undergone surgery on his knee and is set to be absent until the New Year – potentially missing as much as six weeks.
That has left Leeds’ squad looking rather depleted defensively, as Stuart Dallas is also amongst those injured, and the rest of the team will need to rally amidst these absences to maintain their charge for a return to the Premier League.
Cooper took to Twitter after surgery and was quickly met with a wealth of responses from supporters. We have gathered some of their comments below.
Good luck and speedy recovery captain Coops @LiamCooper__
— Paul Neesam LUFC 🏆 💙💛 (@PNeesam) December 5, 2018
Looking good for Saturday Coops. Sure you can run it off. ???? MOT.
— Neil Wormald (@Wormy293) December 5, 2018
Get well soon Coops, need you fit and firing for a promotion push! MOT
— Anthony John Hay (@Tonytime75) December 5, 2018
get back soon! MOT
— Iain M Cooke (@iainmcooke59) December 6, 2018
Speedy recovery young man, you will be missed MOT
— Damian Williamson (@Damo120473) December 5, 2018
Look after yourself Liam and give @lukeayling_8 and the other boys on the injury list a run for their money back to fitness! Rest assured that you’ve had a cracking season so far and the best is yet to come!
MOTALAL— Phil Barrett (@LUSCarborough) December 6, 2018
Get well soon Skipper we will miss your presence on Saturday against QPR
— Robert Greenwood (@bobly44) December 5, 2018
Wishing you a speedy recovery captain coops. Been brilliant a true leader. MOT
— DAZZLER (@darsum82) December 5, 2018
Previous article by Josh Challies
‘He has been a credit to the shirt’: Many Leeds fans react to injury sustained by key figure