Gaetano Berardi steps up preparations for Luton Town game as Leeds United play waiting game on Liam Cooper

Gaetano Berardi was given valuable match minutes in a Leeds United Under 23s game this afternoon in preparation for a likely return to the  first teamstarting line-up.
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The centre-half played the second half of the Whites’ 2-0 win over Barnsley Under 23s at Thorp Arch and is expected to start at Luton Town this weekend.

Club captain Liam Cooper suffered a small tear in his groin late on against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road in the game that preceded the international break and although Leeds hope to have him fit soon, this Saturday’s trip to Bedfordshire is thought to have come too soon.

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Cooper was forced to pull out of Scotland’s two Euro 2020 qualifying games through the injury, which is the second groin problem he has suffered this season.

The first was predicted to keep him out for six weeks but he returned ahead of schedule having missed just three games.

Berardi, who was erroneously sent off against Millwall, provided more than adequate cover and is in line to take Cooper’s place again this weekend when the Championsip resumes.

He wasn’t the only first team player boosting their fitness levels against the Tykes’ second string – Pablo Hernandez and Barry Douglas also played 45 minutes apiece.

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The Spaniard missed six games through a pair of injuries [calf then hamstring] and had to be content with cameo appearances from the bench against QPR and Blackburn Rovers.

Gaetano Berardi got 45 minutes for the Under 23s this afternoon (Pic: Getty)Gaetano Berardi got 45 minutes for the Under 23s this afternoon (Pic: Getty)
Gaetano Berardi got 45 minutes for the Under 23s this afternoon (Pic: Getty)

Hernandez, 34, has not started a game for Leeds since 21st September.

Douglas began the campaign as Marcelo Bielsa’s first choice left-back but has subsequently played second fiddle to Gjanni Alioski and Stuart Dallas, who filled in for the injured North Macedonian against Rovers.

Eddie Nketiah, Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw remains doubts for Saturday.