Every Leeds United supporter is well aware that injuries have severely disrupted the club’s progress in the Premier League so far this season.
There are very few members of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad that are yet to have spent at least a game or two on the sidelines this term.
The most influential players have been unable to escape the grips of the injury crisis and there were some worried faces at Elland Road when Kalvin Phillips hobbled off the pitch in the 2-2 draw against Brentford.
The fears of a potentially lengthy lay-off were compounded by the news that the England midfielder would require surgery on his hamstring.
He has missed Leeds’ last six Premier League games and his absence in front of the defence has been even more noticeable given a similar injury suffered by captain Liam Cooper in the same game.
Although, after having to come to terms with a very quiet January transfer window, Whites supporters were handed a boost when the club’s official Twitter account posted a photo of the Yorkshire duo in their training gear.
It is a timely update on the back of Leeds’ last result which was a disappointing home defeat against one of their rivals in the relegation battle, Newcastle.
Due to their FA Cup exit at the hands of West Ham, Bielsa’s side will benefit from a slight delay in their return to action.
It seems unlikely that both Phillips and Cooper will be available for the trip to face Aston Villa in a week’s time but their work during the current winter break may have put them on track for an earlier return than expected.
Everyone at the club will be desperate to see the pair back in contention for the squad for the tough fixtures on the horizon throughout February and March.
After the trip to Villa Park and the subsequent visit to Goodison Park, Leeds face Manchester United, Tottenham and Leicester in their three following games.
The hopes of a couple of positive results in those fixtures will rely heavily on whether they have their captain and midfield general available for selection.
