Leeds United defender ruled out for eight weeks as opening day hero struck by injury

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper will be out of action for eight weeks after sustaining a foot injury in the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City last weekend.

The Whites’ skipper has ruptured his plantar fascia, an injury suffered by ex-Leeds striker Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford previously, and will subsequently miss eight weeks.

Leeds have also confirmed Sunday afternoon’s last-minute hero Crysencio Summerville will be out for three weeks after picking up a groin strain in the draw with Cardiff.

In addition, a timeline has been set for Junior Firpo’s return to action with the Spanish left-back still four weeks from a comeback after tearing lateral knee ligaments earlier this summer.

Cooper and Summerville join Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph, Georginio Rutter, Stuart Dallas, Sam Greenwood and Firpo in the treatment room.

Cody Drameh is expected to return to the first-team fold shortly, while Rutter’s core injury is not understood to be severe. Adams recently returned to light training, while young forward Joseph is set to spend three to four weeks on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Versatile player Greenwood has recently come off crutches, while there is no timeline for Dallas’ return from a femoral fracture sustained towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

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Leeds United transfer rumours as Whites linked with 19-goal striker Joel Pohjanpalo

A look at the latest Leeds United transfer rumours

A round-up of the latest Leeds United transfer rumours on Tuesday, August 8.

Leeds United one of a number of English sides linked with 19-goal star

TuttoMercatoWeb claims the Whites are among a number of English sides linked with signing Venezia FC star striker Joel Pohjanpalo. The 28-year-old, who only joined the Serie B side from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, finished his first season in Italy with an impressive 19 goals and seven assists in 40 games.

The Finland international has a decent enough goal record with 134 goals in 308 games, with the majority of his career spent in Germany. His fine form has clearly not gone unnoticed with West Ham United, Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers all said to be keen on his services.

Read more: Daniel Farke given Leeds United progress check as Cardiff clarity shows route forward

Serie A side Cagliari are also reportedly interested in the striker, given they could be without forward Gianluca Lapadula, who recently underwent ankle surgery. Pohjanpalo has two-years left on his deal with the Italian side but Venezia are hoping a decision is made on his future sooner rather than later.

The Mail claims Leeds United had explored a move for Reims midfielder Diony Lopes prior to his move to La Liga side Almeria. The 21-year-old came through the Oslo Youth Academy before signing for the French outfit in 2020.

He broke through into the first team in 2021 and has made 66 appearances in all competitions prior to his move this summer. He joins the Spanish side on a six-year deal after a reported €8million deal was struck between the two parties.

The French outfit are said to have negotiated a 25 per cent sell-on fee and will be due an additional €2million in add-ons if certain clauses are met.

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