'JM believes...' - Adam Pope shares Leeds team news twist, expert had ruled 'massive' star out

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch now expects Liam Cooper to be fit for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal. 

Leeds travel to North London in desperate need of points, with Everton’s victory over Chelsea last weekend leaving them just two points above the drop zone.

Whites captain Cooper missed last weekend’s 4-0 defeat against Manchester City after suffering an injury in the warm-up.

It had only been a month since he returned to action following a long-term hamstring injury.

Injury expert and Sky Sports contributor Ben Dinnery had listed Cooper as ‘ruled out’ on his Premier Injuries website.

The injury list at Elland Road already includes Tyler Roberts, Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas and Crysencio Summerville.

BBC Sport journalist Adam Pope relayed an update on Cooper’s fitness ahead of the visit to The Emirates, in quite the twist from Dinnery’s update.

“JM believes Cooper will play at Arsenal on Sunday,” he wrote.

Robbie Keane summed up Cooper’s importance to Leeds when news of his injury broke. He described the 30-year-old’s presence as ‘massive’ and hailed him as an ‘instrumental’ in a strong run of defensive form that had seen Marsch’s side concede just once in three games.

You could certainly argue that they missed him, falling to a heavy loss and giving up 3.01 xG against City. He also ranks in Leeds’ top two (among outfielders) for interceptions, clearances and accurate long passes per game.

Their chances of pulling off an upset against the Champions-League chasing hosts might have just improved.

In other news, Leeds are eyeing this Europa League finalist.

Source