Leeds United boss welcomes defensive strength

LEEDS United head coach Thomas Christiansen will run the rule over his centre-back options with Liam Cooper, Pontus Jansson and Matthew Pennington all back fit and in contention to face Saturday's Championship visitors Ipswich Town.
Pontus Jansson.
(Picture: Bruce Rollinson)Pontus Jansson.
(Picture: Bruce Rollinson)
Pontus Jansson. (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)

Jansson picked up a “small muscle” suspected hamstring injury towards the end of last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Millwall which Cooper missed with a back problem picked up in the recent 2-0 triumph at home to Birmingham City.

Everton loanee Pennington, meanwhile, has not featured for the Whites since injuring his ankle in the opening weekend triumph at Bolton Wanderers.

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But Christiansen says that all three players are now fit enough to be considered to feature against Ipswich, a game for which injured striker Caleb Ekuban is United’s only absentee.

Striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga will also be available with his girlfriend still yet to give birth to the couple’s first child which was due a week last Sunday.

“The only one we have is Caleb Ekuban,” said Christiansen, asked about what injuries his squad were carrying.

“The rest are all fit.”

Asked if Jansson, Cooper and Pennington would be fit enough to start, Christiansen said: “This is also one of the questions that we have.

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“Pontus comes from a small muscle problem and Pennington comes back after several weeks out.

“And I also have Liam who has come back and is okay and Connor (Shaughnessy).

“Everyone comes in their circumstances to this game and I have to choose and see who will be from my point of view the best option for this game.”