Koch upbeat as he marks potential return date; names Leeds ‘motivation’

Robin Koch

Leeds United defender Robin Koch has stressed that everything is going to plan as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

Koch, 24, had played every minute of the Whites’ Premier League campaign until injury struck on December 5. He was forced to limp out of the 3-1 loss at Chelsea with a meniscus problem after just nine minutes.

Scans revealed that the Germany international needed an operation and he underwent surgery at London’s Fortus Clinic two weeks ago. That is said to have gone well and it is now a case of time as he plots a return.

The former Freiburg man, who joined for around £13m in the summer, is now undergoing rehabilitation. Bild are suggesting that the Kaiserslautern-born ace could be back for the next round of international matches in March.

While not confirming any potential return date, Koch seemed upbeat about the future.

“Everything is going according to plan and very well,” he said. “I will continue to work on my comeback over the holidays, and I am confident that I will be back on the pitch soon in the New Year.

“The many positive messages I receive give me additional motivation.”

The centre-back will have one eye on next summer’s delayed European Championship. After making his Germany debut in October 2019, he has been capped seven times.

 

Leeds have taken nine points since Koch’s injury and sit in mid table heading into 2021. They have handed out heavy defeats to both Newcastle United and West Brom.

Next up is a tough trip to the capital to face Tottenham on Saturday. A third-round FA Cup clash with Crawley follows before three games that could all-but seal their place in the top flight.

Whites on the up

 

Brighton and Southampton will visit Elland Road while Bielsa takes his troops to Newcastle on January 26.

Nothing in the Premier League is given but they are all ‘winnable’, especially with confidence in the camp high.

The Yorkshire outfit seem to have come to terms with life in England’s top division. And Bielsa was delighted with all aspects of his side’s display against the Baggies last time out.

“We dominated the game and we made few errors, so they couldn’t capitalise on anything,” he told the BBC. “We attacked constantly and were efficient – all those details make a positive performance.

“It’s important for us not to concede goals because we’ve conceded way too many goals. And to avoid conceding a goal to create security within the team.”

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