Matt Kilgallon makes Liam Cooper claim after Leeds beat Southampton

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Matt Kilgallon told BBC Radio Leeds after Leeds United’s win over Southampton that Liam Cooper will know that he is going to have to be patient if he wants to regain his place in the side once he returns from injury as Max Wober continues to impress at the centre-back.

Cooper has missed Leeds’ last four Premier League games. He was on the bench for the loss at Everton, but Jesse Marsch was the manager the last time he actually got onto the pitch.

In his absence, Wober has looked outstanding. The Austrian has taken little time to establish himself as our best defender. And it really does appear that he is getting the best out of the two players either side of him. There is definitely an argument that neither Robin Koch or Junior Firpo have been better for Leeds.

Kilgallon expects Cooper to stay out of the Leeds side for time-being

Cooper has been a stalwart under a number of bosses now, including Marcelo Bielsa. He has been an unbelievable servant. And he remains the club captain.

But it is currently hard to see him regaining his spot in the side anytime soon. Certainly, Kilgallon feels that the Scotland international will be aware that he is not going to make an immediate return to the team when he is back fit.

“It’s normal, you’re at a big club, you’re at a Premier League club, there’s competition,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “Coops has been in there when it’s his position. I’m afraid that’s the way it is. He knows that, he’s an experienced player, he’s been around. He knows the crack, he knows when he comes back, he’s going to have to wait his time. That’s for sure.

“If you ask him, he’d probably say, yeah Wober’s come in and done great. He knows he’s not going to come back in. I’m afraid that’s not how it works. He’s got to wait his time now, keep fit. And when it changes, it changes.”

Of course, we are yet to see what Javi Gracia would deem to be his preferred team. The Spaniard only made one change for the win over the Saints.

He did show bravery with his selection decisions. Marsch would have caused a riot had he taken off Willy Gnonto off so early during the latter stages of his tenure.

But the back four has largely been much, much better since Wober came in. And with that, it really does appear that Cooper is going to have to wait a little while before he gets back into the team.