Leeds United will be hoping they can get their promotion bid in the Championship back on track this weekend, when they take on Birmingham City at Elland Road. 

The Whites came away from their game against Millwall empty handed before the international break, with Marcelo Bielsa's side falling to a 2-1 defeat at The Den.

The turning point in the defeat came when Gaetano Berardi was sent-off early into the contest for being adjudged to have brought down Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw.

It was far from ideal circumstances for Berardi, who had only been drafted into the starting XI with Liam Cooper nursing a groin injury that he picked up against West Brom earlier this season.

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope has revealed that Cooper is making good progress in his recovery from injury, and stated that the defender is hoping to be back 'sooner rather than later'.

Cooper has been a key member of the Leeds squad in recent seasons, and has made nine league appearances so far for Marcelo Bielsa's side this term.

He has formed an impressive partnership in defence alongside Brighton loanee Ben White, and the pair will be hoping to pic up where they left off when the Leeds captain returns to action.

The Whites are next in action against Birmingham City on Saturday, where they'll be keen to put in a good performance in front of the Elland Road faithful as they celebrate their 100-year anniversary as a club.

[freshpress-poll ]

The Verdict:

This is a promising update from Cooper.

I still think they're going to struggle in the weeks that he is ruled out of action, as he's struck up a strong partnership alongside Ben White in the heart of the defence.

Gaetano Berardi hasn't been at his best, and I don't think he's the man to fill the void left by Cooper, so the sooner the Leeds skipper is back in action, then stronger chance Leeds will have of making a long-awaited return to the Premier League this season under Marcelo Bielsa's guidance.