---
title: "Leeds United: Whelan buzzing over latest Whites team news"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-whelan-buzzing-over-latest-whites-team-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2020-10-31T16:30:40Z"
modified: "2020-10-31T16:30:40Z"
---

# Leeds United: Whelan buzzing over latest Whites team news

**Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has [revealed](https://www.footballinsider247.com/huge-exclusive-whelan-buzzing-after-major-leeds-player-update/) his delight after Marcelo Bielsa said Liam Cooper was available to face Leicester City.**

The Yorkshire club have made an excellent start to the new Premier League season, producing good performances against Liverpool and Manchester City, whilst beating Aston Villa 3-0 last time out.

The last few weeks have been trying, however for Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa, who has been forced to select a starting eleven without his key central defender.

Cooper, who has been a consistent figure for Leeds over the last 12 months, missed the game against Dean Smith’s side through injury and was replaced by right-back Luke Ayling.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference at Leeds’ Thorp Arch training ground, [Bielsa revealed that the defender was set to return against Brendan Rodgers’ side on Monday evening.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-united-liam-cooper-could-face-leicester-city/)

### What has Whelan said regarding Cooper’s return to fitness?

Touching on the return of Cooper, Whelan told [**Football Insider**](https://www.footballinsider247.com/huge-exclusive-whelan-buzzing-after-major-leeds-player-update/): *“It’s huge. Don’t get me wrong, off the back of a fantastic victory against Aston Villa away, without our captain, it’ll be very hard to change things.*

*“At the same time, you’ve got to look at what he brings and what he does add to the side which is stability at the back, consistency on that left-hand side that he brings and it’s starting that partnership again.*

*“We’ve got to get that partnership going because it’s been too on and off with Cooper being in and out and Robin Koch has been ever-present. He needs someone who’s going to stabilise that partnership with him and that’s got to be Liam Cooper for now. “*

### How much of a boost will Cooper’s return have?

The central defender produced a superb [7.11 out of 10 via WhoScored.com](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/44148/History/Liam-Cooper) for his performances in the Championship last term, combining his leadership and natural defending ability to provide Bielsa with a trusted security blanket at the back.

His return against Leicester City will be another massive boost for Leeds, who continue to impress.

The test against Leicester will be a great one, but anything seems possible with this Leeds team at the moment.

[READ MORE: Jamie Shackleton praised for performance against Aston Villa…](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/leeds-united-jamie-shackleton-praised-for-aston-villa-performance/)