Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Tue 31 March 2026 16:10, UK

Leeds United may actually be thankful that Dan James and Noah Okafor have suffered injury issues in the international break.

James scored a wonderful goal in Wales’ penalty shootout loss to Bosnia, and Okafor did not feature in Switzerland’s clash with Germany.

Craig Bellamy suggested that the Whites star would not make his squad for the clash with Ireland, and the Swiss ace is a doubt for their fixture with Norway.

The double injury update will be a devastating setback for Daniel Farke and the supporters, but it may not be the worst thing in the world.

However, that leaves an opening for Wilfried Gnonto to finally make his impression on Leeds boss Farke this season.

How has Gnonto’s season gone so far at Leeds?

Gnonto’s opportunities have been limited for Leeds in this campaign, as he has featured 16 times in the Premier League.

He has played just 380 minutes in the top-flight, but could now be set for salvation after being an outcast for the majority of the season.

The Italian winger’s future is on the line at Elland Road, and it could be his final chance to prove that he belongs.

He has already shown that he can be a key asset in the final weeks of the season, if Farke trusts him and the others are out.

How does Gnonto compare to James and Okafor?

Gnonto has started just four matches of the 16 that he has played in the league, and he is averaging just 24 minutes per game.

He has recorded 0.5 shots per game, an expected assists tally of 0.55, and makes 0.4 key passes in those appearances, per Sofascore.

James has similar stats, with 0.7 shots per game, an expected assists tally of 0.60 and makes 0.5 key passes when he has been on the flanks.

Okafor averages 1.1 shots per game, has an expected assists tally of 0.97 and makes 0.6 key passes, but those numbers are likely inflated by the additional game time that he has received.

Gnonto may be the best option; he has already proven that he is capable of magic moments, such as his assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 1-1 draw with Brentford in December.

It may not be the worst thing if he is handed more opportunities, as a result of injuries to the other options, it may allow him to thrive and become a Leeds hero again.