Mateusz Klich drops exciting update on Llorente and Koch

By Jordan Harris

Mateusz Klich has told BBC Radio Leeds that both Diego Llorente and Robin Koch are getting very close to returning with both Leeds United defenders currently sidelined due to injury.

Leeds have not had Koch available since the opening day of the campaign. It proved to be a tough afternoon for the Germany international as he took on Kalvin Phillips’s role.

Llorente meanwhile, missed Friday’s game with Newcastle after limping off the previous weekend against Liverpool.

Fans have not had too much of an idea of how long to expect the pair to be sidelined for. Llorente issued an encouraging update on his Instagram account where he suggested that the problem was not too serious.

But it does appear that they have now received some positive news. Klich hinted that neither is too far from coming back into the fold.

“I think we will be fine,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “I’m waiting for Robin (Koch) to come back, he’s very close. I think a couple are coming back, Diego (Llorente) is very close. We will be okay.”

Llorente and Koch returning would hand Leeds a very timely boost

As things stand, Liam Cooper is the one senior centre-back available to Marcelo Bielsa heading into Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Fulham.

Pascal Struijk is suspended. Meanwhile, Luke Ayling was taken off during the draw with Newcastle.

Charlie Cresswell could well step in. But the 19-year-old is yet to make his Premier League debut. So it could be a huge week for the youngster with West Ham ahead this weekend.

Having Llorente and Koch back soon therefore, could be huge for Leeds.

Llorente has arguably been the Whites’ best defender whenever fit. And Koch has certainly shown glimpses of why he was signed as Leeds struggled to bring back fan favourite Ben White.