Key player reveals injury ‘frustration’ - just hours before Leeds v Newcastle United kick-off

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has confirmed his absence from this afternoon’s Premier League clash at home to Newcastle United (kick-off 12:30pm).

The Scotland international was forced off after 34 minutes during the Whites’ 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth. He then missed last week’s loss to Manchester City.

Speaking to the matchday programme, Cooper, who has made 18 league appearances in 22-23, reflected on a “stop-start season” as he sits out of the match against Newcastle.

“Personally, it was really frustrating to pick up another injury in what has been a really stop-start season for me, forcing me to miss the match last weekend [against Man City].”

Sam Allardyce hopes to have his skipper back for next Sunday’s clash at West Ham United.

“We think so,” the Leeds boss said on Thursday. “Next week, I think we’ve got to keep everybody fit if we possibly can.

“The squad in general at Leeds is light in numbers so we have to be careful not to pick up too many injuries otherwise it does deplete the squad.”

Meanwhile, Cooper shed insight on Allardyce’s impact at Leeds. The former Newcastle boss takes charge of his first home game today after beginning his reign at the Etihad Stadium.

“Sam Allardyce, Karl Robinson and Robbie Keane have arrived and given everyone a lift over the past two weeks,” Cooper added.

“The gaffer obviously has huge experience and has been in this situation before, as have a lot of us as players from last season.

“They’ve tried to take things back to basics to have an immediate impact - and I think that showed in their first game against Manchester City.

“It was always going to be difficult for us given that Manchester City at this time are probably the best team in the world but we showed fight and spirit throughout.

“Now we have three cup finals left, starting today against Newcastle United. We know anything is possible here at Elland Road and we will be doing all we can to take something from the game.”

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