McLeish fears Koch may be ruled out of Euros after Leeds setback
Alex McLeish has admitted he fears Robin Koch could miss this summer’s Euros after another injury setback at Leeds United.
The former Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted Joachim Low and Marcelo Bielsa had a “very difficult decision” over what to do with the 24-year-old.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Bielsa confirmed Koch would miss the final two games of the season due to a “small niggle”.
The 24-year-old was then named among Low’s Germany squad for this summer’s Euros on Wednesday.
Koch missed a large chunk of Leeds’ season after undergoing surgery on a knee injury back in December.
McLeish suggested Koch should only be risked on international duty if he is seen as a crucial member of the starting XI.
Asked if he had fears about Koch going away with Germany, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah. That is a very difficult decision to make.
“Especially if you see the player as a key player who can make a difference. Sometimes you have to look at it and say this player, even at half his best, is still a potent player for me.
“Sometimes you have to look at it and say that maybe needs to be at his full level before he plays in these tournaments.
“Then you would say, ‘no’ he can’t go. He’d definitely be a ‘no’ if you felt that was the kind of makeup that you had around that player.”
Koch has played 17 times for Leeds since joining from SC Freiburg last summer.
He missed three months and 16 league games after his surgery late last year.
In other news, a Leeds United mainstay will be “thinking hard” about quitting as rivals circle, claims pundit.