Leeds United's Robin Koch set for knee surgery

The Germany centre-back first injured his knee on his debut at Liverpool, but had not missed a minute of Premier League football since until a collision during Saturday's defeat at Chelsea. He also made four international appearances in that time, including playing the whole of his country's three matches in the November international break.

But the injury at Stamford Bridge saw him substituted at Stamford Bridge, and the club has now decided surgery is needed.

By playing on, Koch has at least allowed fellow summer signing Diego Llorente to find his fitness.

The Spaniard was in the squad for the first time at Chelsea having suffered muscle injuries since moving to Leeds. Coach Marcelo Bielsa said before the game he wanted Llorente to play some under-23 football before being thrown into the intensity of the Premier League, but warned at the time circumstances could accelerate that.So it proved, with Llorente replacing Koch in the game, in preference to Pascal Struijik, who filled in for Liam Cooper whilst Llorente was building up his fitness. Struijk is primarily a left-sided central defender, Llorente a right-sider.

Right-back Luke Ayling has played in the centre of defence at times, including in a back three this season, and holding midfielder Kalvin Phillips can also drop into the position.

Leeds's next game is at home to West Ham United on Friday.

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