Here are the Leeds United evening headlines on Friday 8th January.
Cooper back fit for Crawley FA Cup tie
Marcelo Bielsa confirmed today that Leeds captain Liam Cooper is back fit following an abdominal injury sustained against Manchester United last month.
Leeds face League Two side Crawley Town in the FA Cup third round on Sunday at the People's Pension Stadium and will travel down boosted by the availability of Cooper and fellow centre-back Diego Llorente.
Bielsa told LeedsLive that Cooper is in contention to start the 13:30 kick-off, while Llorente will only feature if needed, meaning Luke Ayling could be in line for a well deserved break.
Tyler Roberts is once again unavailable for the tie, which will be broadcast live on BBC One.
Leeds’ FA Cup chances rated
Leeds are judged to be the 11th most likely winner of the FA Cup this season, according to the bookies.
According to betting aggregator site Oddschecker, Leeds are behind 7/2 favourites Manchester City to win the competition, with Liverpool, Spurs, Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Leicester City, Everton, Southampton and Wolves all given shorter odds than the Whites.
The shortest odds on Leeds winning the tournament are 25/1, with the longest odds at 33/1.
However, Bielsa’s side are fancied to overcome Crawley this weekend. Leeds are heavy 3/8 favourites, with a draw given odds of 9/2 and Crawley's chances rated at 17/2.
‘Edmundson should stay at Aberdeen’
Former England striker Kevin Phillips believes Leeds should loan Ryan Edmondson back to Aberdeen for the remainder of the season.
The 19-year-old striker spent the first half of the 2020/21 season with the Scottish side, who reportedly now want to extend his spell at the club.
Phillips believes that move would suit Edmondson and Leeds, who don’t have room for him in their squad.
“It is a really tough one with Edmondson,” Phillips told Football Insider.
“Leeds have coped so far so I think Bielsa would be inclined to send him back to Aberdeen. I think he will go back.
“Let him develop because if he stays at Leeds he will not get much game time if Bamford stays fit. Rodrigo can fill in there if need be so I presume he will go back.
“He will continue to progress and then in the summer they may have a player who can save them millions. He might be ready to step up by then.”
