'I am ready' - Robin Koch prepped for Leeds United battle under Marcelo Bielsa amid Sheffield United warning

Robin Koch says he is feeling good and ready to fight for his place in Marcelo Bielsa's defence at Leeds United.

The German international is back to full fitness and available for selection once again after making a long-awaited return to Premier League football in the latter stages at Fulham last time out.

Koch has been sidelined with a knee injury since early December - which required an operation - and spent the international break at Thorp Arch working on his recuperation instead of heading away with his national team.

Bielsa's central defence has been plagued by injury throughout the top flight campaign thus far but the Argentine now has a full armoury to select from.

Club captain Liam Cooper has returned after illness while Diego Llorente, who is enjoying his best run in the side, partnered the impressive Pascal Struijk at Craven Cottage.

“I’m feeling good, I’m back from my injury,” Koch explained.

“For me it was good to be here with the team for the last two weeks and not travel with the national team, I think those three games would have come too early for me.

"It was good for me to have the training sessions.

“After the two weeks in training I am really confident in my fitness, of course you need some games to get fully fit again but I am feeling good and I am ready for the games.

"It's normal for every team that after injury when everyone is fit you have to try and get back in the team. It is normal."

The Whites welcome Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League resumes.

Despite the Blades sitting at the foot of the standings with just four wins all season, Koch has warned his teammates not to take the game lightly.

“Of course we are awaiting a tough game," he added.

“I think every game in the Premier League is tough and the good thing is that nearly every player is fit and ready to play, so I think we have good quality in the team.

“When everyone is fit, we can get our best out of the team, so for every opponent it is difficult to play against us.

“Every game is a big game. We go into this game against Sheffield United with the same mentality as we did against Liverpool or Man City.”