Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been tipped to hand Whites captain Liam Cooper a rare start against Watford in the Championship by Beren Cross.
The Whites travel to Vicarage Road on Friday (29 March) as they look to continue their unbeaten run in the Championship this year, but will have to make do without several key stars after the international break.
One man who could be sidelined is Ilia Gruev and Leeds Live journalist Cross has tipped Cooper to be the man to replace him, with Ethan Ampadu expected to return to his typical role at the base of the Leeds midfield.
Writing for Leeds Live on Thursday (28 March) he said: “As keen as I am to see Archie Gray in midfield as much as possible while retaining the centre-back foundation of 2024’s incredible run, Cooper gets the nod.
“He is the captain, leader and experienced head of this group. Cooper’s hardly been playing regularly, but his 90 minutes on Tuesday with Scotland is more than Shackleton has had in a long time. The skipper should be a touch sharper than Shackleton, who has had multiple illnesses and injuries in 2024.
“Cooper in defence keeps the midfield more balanced too. Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara feel like a more balanced duo in the centre than Gray and the Finn, who both have an appetite for driving forwards.”
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