x

Robin Koch facing three months out after knee surgery

Leeds United defender Robin Koch is facing up to three months out injured after undergoing knee surgery, says head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Germany international Koch had a successful knee operation on Tuesday, while Bielsa, whose side are at home to West Ham on Friday, also said Spain international Diego Llorente could be out for up to three weeks with a muscle problem.

Koch had been playing with a knee injury since arriving from Freiburg in the summer and damaged it further in last week’s defeat at Chelsea.

Bielsa said: “The surgery went well and the length of Koch’s absence depends on the evolution, but he’s likely to be out for around three months.

“It’s a shame to miss him for such a period of time but during a season this is normal for injuries like this to happen to a team.”

Bielsa said Leeds would not be looking to sign a centre-back during the January transfer window as Luke Ayling, Pascal Struijk, Kalvin Phillips and Gaetano Berardi, who is working his way back from a long-term knee injury, would provide sufficient cover.

“We’re not thinking of the possibility of bringing another centre-back into the team,” Bielsa added. “And apart from that we also expect to count on Berardi from February.”

Koch has started in all 11 of Leeds’ Premier League games this season since joining in a reported £11.7m deal in August.

Llorente, signed from Real Sociedad for a reported £18m in September, made his debut for the club at Chelsea as Koch’s replacement.

“They’re both good in the aerial game and they’re both of a similar physical stature and, despite how tall they are, they have good agility and both have the capacity to distribute the ball well,” Bielsa said.

Spain international Llorente’s first appearance had been delayed due to a previous muscle injury but Bielsa said he had not been rushed back into action.

“The risk that I talked about was about his football fitness, not with regards to how healthy he was because he was recovered and was not at risk,” Bielsa said.

“If there’s any risk over the health of a player, then I won’t play him.” Bielsa, who took the unusual step of naming his entire starting line-up to face West Ham, confirmed either Ayling or Phillips would slot in alongside Liam Cooper at the heart of defence.

Rodrigo will return to the starting line-up, while Pablo Hernandez (muscle strain) and Jamie Shackleton (thigh) were both available after recovering from their respective injuries.

Hot this week

US-Based Nigerian Entrepreneur Relocates to Abuja, Set to Employ 10,000 Workers in Restaurant Venture

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaA United States-based Nigerian entrepreneur and...

Wike Arrives Dubai for 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum Meetings

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister,...

Chinese firms invested $1.3 billion in Nigeria’s lithium sector: Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake,...

TCN Tower Vandalized on Gombe–Damaturu 330kV Line, Disrupting Power Supply to Northeast

By Jabiru HassanThe Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has...

INSPIRATION: Seeing Myself in the Light of Now

By Mary EwaTechnology is the wealth of the twenty-first...

King Cup: Ronaldo Reacts After Al-Nassr’s Shock Exit to Al-Ittihad

Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence following...

NSUK Alumni Boost Campus Healthcare with N3.2m Medical Donation

By Abel Zwanke, LafiaThe Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK)...

Osimhen Named Greatest Striker to Ever Play in Turkish Super Lig

Former Fenerbahçe forward Serhat Akın has hailed Victor Osimhen...

Recent Surge in Cult Violence in Osun State: A Threat to Lives, Learning, and Peace

By Nadia Binta AhmedNigeria continues to grapple with the...

Swansea 1–3 Manchester City: Rayan Cherki Shines as City Storm Into Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals

Manchester City produced a dominant second-half performance to overturn...

Arsenal’s Youngsters Shine as Gunners Beat Brighton to Reach EFL Cup Quarter-Finals

Arsenal’s new generation delivered a dazzling display on Wednesday...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img