Leeds United have been hit with another injury blow after it looked as if the treatment room was starting to clear out.

Liam Cooper was taken off in last weekend’s narrow win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Marcelo Bielsa confirmed after the match that the club’s captain had suffered a “serious” knee injury.

Cooper had to be helped off the field during the first half and is facing a spell on the sidelines which will stretch Leeds’ defensive options even further, with Gaetano Berardi still out injured.

Pontus Jansson had been out but has since returned to the first team after injury and Luke Ayling, meanwhile, remains a long-term absentee.

When it rains, it pours, and that is the case for the rearguard situation at Elland Road at the moment.

And with the club fighting for the top spot in the division, this flurry of injuries could have season-defining consequences should the wrong decisions be made to compensate for the lack of defensive depth.

With that said, here are three defensive solutions Bielsa must consider after the recent loss of Cooper.

The most obvious of choices would be to have the Finland U21 international at the back, considering it is his natural position.

The 21-year-old came on in Liam Cooper’s place and kept a clean sheet and looked impressive at the back for Leeds at the weekend.

His performance would not have gone unnoticed by Marcelo Bielsa ahead of this weekend’s match with QPR.

An alternative to Aapo Halme amidst the absence of Liam Cooper is putting the holding midfielder in the defender’s place.

He played there in the win over Reading last midweek and did well, but his more effective role is in the middle of the pitch.

Kalvin Phillips would be a more than adequate deputy at the back for Leeds while their defensive options are stretched.

A possible alternative to Leeds’ defensive crisis is to change the system, and have three at the back while pushing another player into the middle of the pitch.

Three central defenders could be deployed while wing-backs are used and either an extra holding player or attacking man could be added into the fray.

This could well be the last resort if Marcelo Bielsa isn't keen his current options to fill the void left by Liam Cooper.

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