Liam Cooper hopes to be back ahead of schedule for Leeds United , but is remaining patient as he continues his recovery.
The skipper was forced off with a groin injury during the 1-0 win over West Brom, and the club subsequently announced he’d be out for up to six weeks.
Gaetano Berardi deputised for Cooper for the trip to Millwall, but was dismissed early on as the Whites went on to lose 2-1. But the Swiss will be back available for the club’s centenary game against Birmingham, after an appeal by the club to get the red card rescinded was successful.
It’s hoped that Cooper will be available once again in mid-November, which could potentially see him return to for the trip to Luton following next month’s international break.
But there’s a chance he could be back sooner after the defender revealed the recovery process has gotten off to a good start, although he was reticent to put a time frame on his return.
“Still on schedule,” said the defender in an interview on the LUTV app .
“It’s settling down a little bit quicker than I thought it would, there’s a bit of damage in the tendon which usually takes a bit longer, but I’m progressing well in the gym.
“Really looking forward to getting back outside, it’ll maybe be a couple of weeks yet but hopefully I can keep cracking on in the gym, strengthening around the muscle.
“Who knows, I could get back a bit earlier but it all depends on the healing process.”
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