Leeds handed major boost as exciting Thorp Arch image emerges, Bielsa will be buzzing - opinion

Leeds United are in line for a massive boost ahead of their return to action next week…

Key first-team trio Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Charlie Cresswell have been pictured in training as the Yorkshire giants prepare for their Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The club captain and defensive midfielder were two of the first names on Marcelo Bielsa’s teamsheet this campaign until the pair suffered hamstring injuries during their 2-2 draw with Brentford in early December.

On Wednesday, the club shared two photographs on their social media to bring fresh hope to the Argentinian head coach and the Elland Road faithful with Cooper, Phillips and Cresswell all back training on the grass at Thorp Arch.

There has certainly been an ongoing injury crisis in west Yorkshire this season but these images provide encouragement that things are starting to look up heading into the second half of the season.

The winter break has given Leeds a perfect opportunity to welcome back several names from the treatment table and that puts them in a strong position ahead of next week.

In the very same game that Cooper and Phillips got injured, a returning Patrick Bamford stepped off the bench to bag the vital equaliser, only to pick up a hamstring problem himself, following a lengthy lay-off to an ankle injury.

Without the three players, Leeds suffered a disastrous December, losing heavily to the likes of Man City and Arsenal.

Whilst form has turned around in the new year, where the Whites have recorded impressive victories over Burnley and West Ham United, there has still been worries off the pitch to contend with.

During the clash against the latter, Bielsa had to name eight academy prospects among a nine-man bench,