Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has predicted that club captain Liam Cooper will return to the side's starting XI for their clash with QPR at Elland Road on Saturday.

Cooper came off the bench to make a 14-minute cameo appearance for Leeds in their goalless draw away at Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, having missed the last three games with injury, with Gaetano Berardi having stepped into the side in the Scotsman's absence.

Whelan however, believes that Cooper's appearance at Hillsborough is an indicator that he is ready to step back into the starting lineup against QPR on Saturday.

Speaking to Football Insider about Cooper's return to the side, Whelan said: “Yeah it’s our great, he’s our captain and the relationship he has forged with Ben White has been fantastic."

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Explaining the impact that bringing Cooper back into the starting lineup will have on Leeds, and the potential for a return this weekend, the 44-year-old continued: “I think he just gives us more balance and height at the back which you need, he’s the only left-footed centre-back we have and with those cross-field balls he can start off attacks from the defence.

“So I think him and Ben White can pick up that relationship where they finished off before he got that injured against West Brom, so it’s going to be a big plus to have him back as we have QPR coming up on Saturday and I have no doubt he’ll be back in the side.”

Prior to his injury, Cooper had started nine league games this season, with his side now set to go into the clash with QPR third in the Championship table, only outside the automatic promotion places on goal difference.

The Verdict

I wouldn't be surprised if Whelan was proven right here.

Cooper has been a huge figure for Leeds over the past season or so, not just in terms of his own ability, but also the leadership he has brought to the side following the departure of Pontus Jansson in the summer.

It is also worth noting that Berardi has been far from convincing when filling in for Cooper, particularly when you consider the red card and penalty he conceded against Millwall, which even though it was later rescinded, came from his own error.

That therefore appears to suggest that having Cooper back will be a big boost for Leeds, and you would expect they will want to take advantage of that as soon as possible.