Marcelo Bielsa provides Diego Llorente update after Leeds loss

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Leeds United have received a much-needed boost following Sunday’s defeat, with Marcelo Bielsa suggesting that Diego Llorente is expected to be back in training on Monday – in comments reported by Leeds Live.

The Whites have endured a torrid run of luck with injuries to defenders this season. Llorente has only made one appearance following his summer switch to Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi are set to be long-term absentees. And Leeds were dealt a further blow at Manchester United on Sunday, with Liam Cooper coming off injured during the second-half.

That meant that Luke Ayling and Leif Davis finished the 6-2 defeat at the heart of the defence. But, while Bielsa was unable to provide an update on Cooper, he did suggest that Llorente is not far away from returning.

“No, I didn’t know the severity of Cooper’s injury and Llorente will start to train with us from tomorrow,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live.

It will provide a big lift if Llorente is soon back in contention.

They now face a nervous wait amid concerns over Cooper’s situation. So having the Spain international back will soften the blow if the captain is out for any prolonged period.

Llorente – who earns £22,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – showed some promising signs on his debut. It was not an easy game to come into with Leeds losing Koch early on. And while they ultimately lost, Llorente did well.

So it would be a very welcome boost if the 27-year-old’s return is just around the corner.