Expert issues ‘impossible’ Liam Cooper training ground claim amid Leeds United latest
Liam Cooper is enduring a frustrating time at Leeds United as it can feel “impossible” to get up to speed with the rest of the group after a prolonged absence.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Cooper, 31, has played just a handful of times for Leeds in 2022 after missing much of the second half of last season with a hamstring injury.
The skipper returned to the side for the League Cup clash against Barnsley last Wednesday (24 August) but was forced off at half-time with a slight calf issue in the eventual 3-1 win.
As quoted by Leeds Live last Friday (26 August), Jesse Marsch insisted that the centre-back will “play a big role” in 2022-23 despite his fitness issues.
The manager has since revealed that there is a chance that Cooper could feature against Brentford on Saturday (3 September).
Dinnery assessed the Scottish international’s latest setback.
“The issue goes back to the close season when Cooper was working to get fit for pre-season,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“It was a treadmill problem and his Achilles flared up.
“We have seen sporadic returns to the training pitches and a few minutes here and there.
“The worry is not so much the injury itself but more the fact that t is more time away from the training pitches and the first-team squad. It can feel impossible to catch up.
“But the positive start for Jesse Marsch is that it has been a very positive start to the season, and therefore there isn’t that pressure to rush Cooper back. You can afford to manage the player a little bit better.“
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