Javi Gracia's Leeds United press conference highlights: Adams to see specialist on hamstring injury, Cooper back
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Whites take on a fellow relegation-threatened side this weekend in Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves, returning to Molineux for the first time since their Carabao Cup defeat in the West Midlands earlier this season.
Gracia’s Leeds will be without Tyler Adams who withdrew from selection for this month’s USMNT fixtures due to a hamstring injury picked up in training. Rodrigo, Patrick Bamford and Luis Sinisterra all made a return to the pitch last weekend in Leeds’ 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, though, and the squad boasts a largely clean bill of health.
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Hide AdThe head coach has been coy when it comes to injury updates since his arrival last month, but is expected to provide additional context to Adams’ injury which could prove to be a considerable blow if he is sidelined for a lengthy period.
Press conference updates filtering in here from 1pm.
Javi Gracia press conference LIVE
Gracia on Cooper
Liam has been out of the team some time but I think it’s important that now he’s with the team. He can do many things on the pitch but he’s very important as well out of the pitch: his personality can help us in this moment. He’s ready.
Gracia on Adams
Tyler is different than others. There is no-one like Tyler. In this case we have other players ready as you can see in the last games we played. In the last one we started with Tyler and Marc, the game before Tyler and Weston. We have other waiting for their chances. Maybe this is the moment for them. I’m sure all of them are ready to compete at a high level.
Gracia on what a win over Wolves would mean going into the break
Always is good to get a win but in this case even more. After winning one game you have more time to work with the players you have, because some are going to their national teams. You have a good atmosphere to remain the attitude and spirit of the players. It will be good to work with the players in the next weeks.
Gracia on the relegation fight
There are many teams involved. As I told you many times, we try to be focused on the next game, try to play the next game giving the most importance of points that are in play. We know it will be in a similar way until the end. We have to be ready and focused and try to give our best. I’m sure we will be fighting til the end. When I came here three weeks ago, I knew the clear objective was to remain in Premier League. I’m sure of that.
Gracia is here
Tyler is injured and in this moment he is with a specialist and will see how long he is out of the team. We have other players, we know all of us know that Tyler is a key player for us but we have to manage with the squad we have. We have other players ready for the next game.