Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Sat 7 March 2026 17:10, UK Updated Sat 7 March 2026 18:49, UK

Leeds United need Noah Okafor to be fit and back to his best for the rest of the Premier League season.

With nine games to be played in the Premier League, the Whites now find themselves just three points above the drop zone.

They will take some optimism from the fact that they still have four games left to be played at Elland Road, with clashes against Burnley and Wolves still to come.

Okafor is currently out injured at Leeds, but his return could play just as significant a role in their bid for survival as their remaining home games.

Stats show why Noah Okafor will be a huge boost

By looking at his goals and assists, you wouldn’t think that Okafor has aided Leeds much at all in their attempts to avoid relegation.

He has just four goals in 23 league appearances, while having failed to register an assist.

However, he certainly has had a huge influence, and his absence has been felt more than anyone expected it to.

The Swiss forward has been out of action since Leeds’ FA Cup win over Birmingham, and it’s no coincidence that the Whites are winless since then.

Leeds have suffered defeat against Sunderland and Manchester City, while having been forced to settle for a point away to Aston Villa within that period.

Prior to his injury, Leeds had suffered defeat just twice since the end of November, showcasing how influential he has been, even if not getting the goals or the assists.

Okafor has created 14 chances for Leeds in the 15 games he has started, while also having taken 26 shots.

Leeds have been lacking that spark in the final third, and he is the man capable of providing it, but they have also been missing his willingness to work off the ball.

The 25-year-old has won 78 duels in the Premier League this season with a 42.6 per cent win rate.

When will Noah Okafor return for Leeds?

Daniel Farke has yet to give a timeframe for Okafor’s return, but he has confirmed that he will be missing from the FA Cup clash with Norwich this weekend.

Fake, incidentally, will be banned from the touchline against Norwich.

As former official Keith Hackett exclusively told MOT Leeds News, Farke’s one-match ban for Leeds is justified.

Okafor has still not returned to training, meaning any return is still likely to be a week away at the very least.

Leeds United return to Premier League action on 15 March when they travel to face Crystal Palace, and there will be some, albeit minimal, hope that he could be back in time to have some impact in that encounter.