TBR View: Leeds injuries must convince Bielsa to sign free agent with Newell’s connection

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Leeds United’s plans to face Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend have been rocked after both Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente picked up injuries while on international duty – but the ideal free agent is waiting to be plucked by Marcelo Bielsa.

Llorente, 27, is yet to make his Leeds debut but it was confirmed by Spain over the weekend that he had suffered a muscle problem. Immediately after, Steve Clarke confirmed Cooper had withdrawn from his Scotland squad to play Slovakia.

It leaves Leeds light at the back. Robin Koch remains on international duty and could play on Tuesday night, with fans praying he does not pick up an injury too. The club posted an update on their official website on Monday evening.

It confirmed that Llorente is looking at three weeks on the sidelines, while Cooper is expected to be out for a fortnight – but could have a late fitness test to face Wolves. However, the injuries have highlighted a lack of cover at centre-back.

Luke Ayling can play there but it who would cover at right-back? Pascal Struijk is the most-likely option, but the Dutch youngster has just seven senior appearances to his name. A centre-back should be considered by the Whites.

The ideal free agent is up for grabs. Argentina international Ezequiel Garay only turned 34 earlier this month, after being released by Valencia in the summer – where he played alongside new club-record Leeds addition Rodrigo Moreno.

Not only does he have a connection with Rodrigo, but he also played 12 times for Bielsa’s first club Newell’s Old Boys. He has 32 Argentina caps, more than 200 La Liga outings to his name, and is available for nothing.

Leeds completed the £16million (BBC) signing of Helder Costa and TransferMarkt say Garay is represented by the same agent. So, with Leeds needing a defender, the free agent signing of the experienced Garay until next summer would surely be perfect?