Championship

Leeds United: Fans react as Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton face lengthy absences

By Kyle Archer

Posted on October 3, 2019

Loads of Leeds United supporters have been replying to an official club post on Twitter declaring Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton out of action through injury.

The duo were withdrawn from the action midway through the Whites’ Championship victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night, with Cooper developing a groin injury while Shackleton was taken off with a hamstring strain.

Captain Cooper is now set to miss a potential six weeks through his injury, which will prevent the central defender from facing Millwall on Sunday, United’s centenary encounter with Birmingham City on October 19th and league clashes with Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers.

Shackleton, meanwhile, is due to face up to four weeks on the sidelines with his hamstring strain, which should see that he returns to the first team fold for Leeds’ clash with QPR at the start of November, providing he suffers no further setbacks.

Both players benefit from the upcoming October international break handing Leeds a two-week rest from action, although Cooper is likely to miss out on featuring under Marcelo Bielsa until after the November break when United travel to Luton Town.

The Scotland international has been a regular fixture of Bielsa’s line-ups this term, having started nine of the Elland Road outfit’s opening 10 Championship games (WhoScored), and playing more minutes than all bar seven Leeds men.

Shackleton, on the other hand, had begun to enjoy a prolonged run of action after featuring extensively against Barnsley, Derby County and Charlton Athletic, having played just six minutes in the second tier before his side’s trip to Oakwell last month.

Leeds fans have been reacting to the duo’s respective blows in varying ways, with some focusing on who could step in to fill their boots, while others took note of their side failing to add the necessary depth in the summer to cover for potential injuries.

Here are some of the messages shared…

We haven’t learnt from last season small squad syndrome again…….Cooper, Shackleton, Hernandez and Forshaw currently out injured

— Andy Firth (@AndrewFirth21) October 2, 2019

No need to worry lads cos the board learnt from last season and invested in a bigger squad to help cope with injurys…NOT.. WHAT MUPPETS

— Fletch. Lufc. ALAW (@Davefle43086532) October 3, 2019

Got to feel for .Shack lad was having a great game Tuesday night lost our impetus second half when he went off was hoping he’d get a run of games hope Forshaw is fit to start

— Kenny Brown (@kennybrown1964) October 2, 2019

Only upside is the 2 week international break will reduce the amount of missed matches.

— Chris. (@lufc1371969) October 2, 2019

No depth at centrehalf. Great planning

— darren murray (@Yopsicles) October 3, 2019

Make that 10 after bielsa makes him play 5 u23 games 1st

— boogie (@Ryansut41183726) October 2, 2019

So it begins

— Keiran Hickman (@Kasper_Sickman) October 2, 2019

Bera time pic.twitter.com/tzxF3AKiRZ

— Luke (@LufcLuke_) October 2, 2019

Here we go. Squad stretched already

— Phil M Taylor (@Philtaylor04) October 2, 2019

Time for Pascal … #lufc pic.twitter.com/dJBWqASrCS

— Northern Lifer (@northernlifer) October 2, 2019

This is the Leeds United i fell in love with

— Alexander Toon (@AlexanderToon94) October 2, 2019

How damaging could the absences of Cooper and Shackleton be over the next few weeks? Join in the discussion by commenting below!

Like what the TT have on offer? Sign up for more Leeds United notifications!