Liam Cooper makes confident vow for when Leeds United finally return

LIAM COOPER says there will be excuses on the fitness front when Leeds United resume their promotion bid, declaring: "we will definitely be in shape."
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

United's quest for Premier League football is currently on hold amidst the country's battle against coronavirus which has the EFL season indefinitely suspended.

Whites legend Norman Hunter is in hospital battling COVID-19 with Cooper very much aware of the bigger picture and hoping that the former centre back "keeps fighting", declaring "you are an inspiration to us all."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The public's health clearly comes first though the EFL have attempted to provide a plan as to how the season could be concluded with an aim to complete their remaining fixtures over a 56-day period in the summer as long as it is safe to do so and most likely behind closed doors.

NO EXCUSE: Says Leeds United captain Liam Cooper. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images.NO EXCUSE: Says Leeds United captain Liam Cooper. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images.
NO EXCUSE: Says Leeds United captain Liam Cooper. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images.

United, meanwhile, have been training at home with the squad following specific routines and diet plans under continued assessment and United's skipper says there is no doubt his men will be in excellent shape when they eventually return.

Leeds have seen their promotion charge halted following five-straight wins that had taken United to the top of the Championship and with a seven-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots with nine games left.

"It is frustrating and it's difficult," said Cooper, speaking to Sky Sports as part of an 'At home with Leeds United' feature.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We won five games on the bounce, we were unbeaten in six and we were flying.

"You don't want anything to come in the way of that and obviously this virus has come along and it's forced us to stop.

"This is totally out of anyone's control, it is what it is and the lads at the club are professional lads.

"We know the scenario we are in and we've got to be ready when we come back to hit those levels again that we reached in the previous six games before this.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"There's only nine games left and anything can happen in those nine games, there's a lot of football to be played.

"We say it a lot but we have got to keep each game going one at a time and what will be at the end of the season will be.

"But it won't be for the lack of trying or coming back unfit or out of shape because that won't be an excuse for us because we will definitely be in shape."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777