Jesse Marsch has revealed that Liam Cooper is closer to returning to full match fitness than Kalvin Phillips ahead of tonight's game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, the American has admitted that the England international should feature for at least the final 15 minutes at Molineux.
The duo have been out since December 5 with hamstring injuries, but are both now fit and on the bench as Leeds take on Wolves looking to make it back-to-back victories. Leeds returned to winning ways with a 2-1 success over Norwich City last time out, extending the gap between them and the relegation zone to four points.
Raphinha hasn't been included in the matchday squad after contracting Covid-19 with Jack Harrison replacing him in the starting XI. However, Phillips and Cooper's returns will be welcome as they look to secure Premier League football for a third successive campaign.
READ MORE: Follow Wolves vs Leeds United LIVE as it happens
Another huge boost has been Patrick Bamford's return to the side. And Marsch is delighted to have him back to full fitness after he scored 17 goals in 38 appearances last season.
Marsch told Sky Sports: "These three guys (Bamford, Phillips, Cooper) are really important to the club. Patrick, getting him back into the line-up and fully fit is really important.
"Liam is closer to playing than Kalvin, but we’ll see what happens in the match. I’m thinking maybe 15 or 20 minutes to see if they can help us in the end, but the morale of having them around, the boost and energy we have, they’re men.
"We need those guys. It’s great to have them back."
Although both players aren't starting against Wolves, they could be massive additions to the side for the remainder of the season. Phillips was part of the England side that reached the Euro 2020 final last summer, playing in all seven games at the tournament.
Meanwhile, club captain Cooper has been an integral part of the Leeds team since promotion to the top-flight and his absence has been felt. Leeds have conceded the most amount of goals since the turn of the year (50) and he could help to turn that record around.
After the international break, the Whites face Southampton and Watford - two more massive matches. And the pair will be hoping to come back into the XI for the game against Saints at Elland Road on Saturday, April 2.
