Liam Cooper makes confident Leeds United prediction and sends heartfelt squad message to club's fans

Leeds will finally return to action through Sunday afternoon's home clash against Burnley having seen their last two fixtures over the festive period postponed due to a small outbreak of coronavirus within the Whites camp.

The Whites had ten players missing for their most recent outing - the home fixture against Arsenal on Saturday, December 18 - in which a 4-1 defeat left Leeds on 16 points after 18 games played and fifth-bottom ahead of the contest against the third-bottom Clarets.

United are only five points clear of the drop zone but injured captain Cooper has made a confident declaration about his side's campaign as a whole and issued a thank you to United's fans for their level of support against Arsenal.

"Everyone knows we've been decimated by injuries and we then saw two of our games over the festive period postponed following a rise in Covid cases," said Cooper, writing in Sunday's matchday programme.

"We're going to get through this period, though, and we'll be better for it when we come out of the other side.

"Everyone is working flat out at Thorp Arch and while we acknowledge where we are at this moment in time in terms of the league table, there is a huge belief within the camp that we will turn things around.

"The results will come and we will begin to climb."

Reflecting on the noise levels inside Elland Road for the clash against the Gunners, Cooper said: "Approaching the kick-off against Arsenal, I think it was up there with being the loudest I've ever heard since being here.

"Of course, on the pitch it proved to be a difficult week with the way the results went, but you the supporters never stopped backing the team.

"At the end of the match, your reaction meant everything to the group."

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Thank you Laura Collins