Leeds star Robin Koch explains when he will recover from his knee operation

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Leeds United defender Robin Koch has told German newspaper BILD that he will be sidelined until the spring after undergoing an operation on his knee to correct an injury he picked up against Chelsea on the weekend.

Koch, 24, lasted just nine minutes against Chelsea on Saturday as the Germany international was forced off the field of play – and replaced by Diego Llorente, who himself had only just overcome a groin injury.

Leeds have now confirmed on Tuesday morning that Koch has undergone surgery on the problem in London. He initially picked up the injury against Liverpool on his debut, but has since been playing on with the issue.

Against Chelsea, he worsened that problem and it has backfired on Leeds. The Whites did not state how long he would be out for, but Koch has said he is aiming to be back by spring – and for March’s international games.

“At the beginning of the season we decided together with the doctors that I could play like this for the time being,” Koch said. “But it was clear to us that sooner or later we would have to perform the procedure.

“The time came after the game against Chelsea. In view of a very important year for me in 2021, it is now crucial to be able to be back on the field in spring,” Koch continued in his interview with Bild.

TBR’s view – Should Leeds sign a replacement?

The Whites do have cover. As aforementioned, Llorente is now fit following his muscle problem – while Liam Cooper has played a string of games and seemingly remained fit, though the Leeds skipper is somewhat prone to injury.

Gaetano Berardi remains on the sidelines after a knee injury of his own, while Luke Ayling can fill in at centre-back. Pascal Struijk is left-footed but is another alternative. There is cover, which is likely to put Leeds off a new defender.

For Leeds fans, though, it might be more than three months before they see Koch in a Leeds shirt again.