Marcelo Bielsa has been gifted a big boost with the news that his captain Liam Cooper is back in Leeds training, following an absence through illness.

The 29-year-old has been a stalwart for the Whites since joining from Chesterfield back in 2014, making 220 appearances for the club.

Cooper skippered Leeds back into the Premier League after last season's Championship triumph and he has continued to be a key man in 2020/21.

The centre-back has missed his side's last two outings due to illness, however - the goalless home draw with Chelsea and the 2-1 win away to Fulham.

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Cooper returns to training

It looks as though Cooper has overcome his problem, though, with Leeds Live reporting that he was back in training on Friday.

That means the captain is in contention to start next Saturday's visit of bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United, as Marcelo Bielsa and his players reconvene after the international break.

Transfer Tavern take

Bielsa could have a potential centre-back dilemma on his hands for the Blades game, with Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk performing well in the last two games.

That being said, Cooper should still return to the starting lineup, with the Englishman proving how influential he is over a long period of time.

In other news, one Leeds star is reportedly on his way out of the exit door this summer - find out who it is here.