Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has confirmed that defensive duo Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente have both taken part in training and are set to be involved in their crucial Premier League clash away at Arsenal on Sunday.
Cooper was withdrawn from the starting lineup before the Whites lost 4-0 at home to Manchester City last weekend, after feeling discomfort in his knee during the warm up, while Llorente was an unused substitute against the Citizens due to fitness concerns.
Speaking to the press on Friday ahead of this weekend's trip to the Emirates Stadium, Marsch said: "Liam Cooper trained today, Diego [Llorente] trained today, so other than five guys (Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw, Tyler Roberts and Crysencio Summerville) we should have our full complement of players.
"I actually think that Liam will play. He's fully trained today and felt good, so I think he will be available."
Even though Sunday's game will come too soon for Bamford, Marsch has admitted that he is "cautiously optimistic" over the striker's fitness after he return to training this week.
"Patrick had been on the [training] pitch, so we remain cautiously optimistic with that and Tyler, Adam and [Crysencio] are all moving in the right direction."
As for Dallas, the American coach has revealed that the versatile midfielder has undergone successful surgery on a femoral fracture, adding: "It was a long surgery, five-and-a-half hours but they believe that the outcome was very positive and they say it'll a long recovery but they believe that he'll have a full recovery.
"He has had something like 400 or 500 messages from fans, family and friends. We know that he's loved and I think that this moment proved it more than anything. I don't want to speak for Stuart, but I've heard he's been very appreciative of so many people reaching out and extending their concerns and their love towards him.
"We all hope for the absolute best for Stuart and we hope that he is soon pain-free and back here at the training centre so we can really start his recovery."
Leeds currently sit 17th in the Premier League table, just two points above 18th-placed Everton, who have a game in hand.
Oliver Thomas
