It's a "big blow" for Leeds manager Jesse Marsch not to have Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, and Patrick Bamford available, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The American recently replaced Marcelo Bielsa in the Elland Road dugout and will take charge of his first game at Leicester on Sunday, although he won't be able to call upon the key trio, who are all out injured.

What's the latest news involving Cooper, Phillips, and Bamford?

Part of the reason for the downfall under Bielsa was down to Leeds' wretched injury record this season.

But it's not just the sheer number of injuries that Leeds have been suffering, it's the fact that some of their key players have been missing for long periods of time.

Three of those have been Cooper, Phillips, and Bamford, who've all missed the best part of three months, and all haven't played since the draw with Brentford before Christmas.

Since the trio have been sidelined, Leeds have collected just seven points from a possible 33 available in the Premier League and have been dragged into a relegation battle.

But Marsch will be hoping his arrival will bring an upturn in results, starting with a difficult trip to Leicester on Sunday, although he won't have arguably three of his most important players available to him at the King Power Stadium.

What did Jones say about Cooper, Phillips, and Bamford?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "It's the core of their success, the foundation that this side was built on under Bielsa when he came in, so it's a big blow for Marsch not to have figureheads in the side like that. "

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When are Cooper, Phillips and Bamford expected to return?

The Athletic recently reported that the trio were all on the verge of returning to action and were in line to return to Marsch's first home game as Leeds manager against Aston Villa on 10 March.

However, while Marcelo Bielsa was hopeful that Bamford will play again this season, he revealed that the three players aren't likely to be back playing early this month.

Instead, the former Leeds boss wasn't able to give an exact return date, which will be a major concern for Marsch, who'll be hoping to hit the ground running and guide the Yorkshire giants to safety.