{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Leeds United employee issues verdict on senior star being axed after Liam Cooper reveal
Noel Whelan has suggested Leeds United captain Liam Cooper will have to settle for a substitute role under Jesse Marsch after returning from injury.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he believes Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk are now the two first-choice centre-backs at Elland Road.
Speaking at his press conference on Thursday (17 March), Marsch confirmed Cooper, 30, is available once again after his lengthy layoff.
The centre-back has been missing since suffering a hamstring injury against Brentford back in December.
However, Whelan suggested the Scotland international may not make an immediate return to the starting XI.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think when I look at the duo that has been playing, Struijk and Llorente, that is my first-choice partnership.
“If they can stay fit throughout the season, they were my two players. Obviously, Liam has been club captain, we know he gives 110 per cent in his game.
“But I think right now, you’re looking at not moving too many pieces of the chessboard around. You’ve got to be sensible and think: ‘Right, we’ve got to be secure at the back.’
“These two have played together, they’re growing their relationship. To me, Struijk and Llorente are the two best centre-halves we have at the football club and I would stick with that.”
Cooper played 15 times for Leeds this season before suffering his injury blow.
Meanwhile, Struijk and Llorente have made 24 and 23 appearances respectively this term.
In other news, Premier League rivals tipped to pull off “unbelievable” Leeds United raid on one condition.