Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Fri 13 March 2026 13:38, UK

Daniel Farke has given an update on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fitness for Leeds United‘s trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Whites have been dragged back into the relegation battle, sitting just three points above the drop zone, with nine matches left to play.

Farke needs a positive result against the Eagles at Selhurst Park on 15 March, to ease supporters concerns and pressure on his place in the dugout.

Leeds will be confident after Palace’s 0-0 draw with AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League.

What did Farke say about Calvert-Lewin?

Leeds boss Farke revealed that Calvert-Lewin could return for the contest, which may be a huge boost for the visitors, as they desperately need to take points against Oliver Glasner’s men.

The former Everton man was omitted from the squad for the FA Cup win over Norwich, with a knee injury believed to be the problem that kept him out at Elland Road on 8 March.

Farke confirmed that he does not expect Noah Okafor to be back, though.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the contest, he said: “Two doubts for this game, Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] was out for a few days, he is back in team training, right now, we have to wait how his body reacts, but I am carefully optimistic.

“Noah [Okafor] was with us yesterday, in full team training, today he missed out due to some problems with his hip, we still 48 hours, but I doubt that he is available, he is definitely a major doubt.”

The Whites boss opened up on Calvert-Lewin’s issue, saying: “Dominic had some problems with his knee, yes.”

What is Leeds’ recent record vs Palace

Leeds beat Palace 4-1 last time out, with two goals from Calvert-Lewin, and one each from Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach being the difference between the sides.

They had failed to win in their three previous encounters before that, with two losses in the 2022-23 campaign, and a draw in the latter part of the 2021-22 season.

The first game of that season, the Whites secured a 1-0 win with Raphinha’s penalty in second-half stoppage time, securing all three points.

The 2020-21 season meetings ended with both sides winning their home games against each other, the Peacocks coming out 2-0 winners in LS11 and Palace beating the Peacocks 4-1 at their ground.

The Yorkshire outfit have won three of their last seven against the South London side, which is not a bad record at all.

However, they have failed to win at Palace’s home ground since a 2-1 win in the Championship fixture in March 2006.

Hopefully, Calvert-Lewin can rediscover his goalscoring form, as he has not scored in his last four appearances, and end the Whites’ hoodoo at Palace, and help their survival bid in the process.