(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Tue 10 March 2026 15:40, UK

Leeds United will be hoping for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to make a swift return to action soon.

The striker missed Leeds’ FA Cup win over Norwich City on Sunday as a precaution, with Daniel Farke not willing to take any risks on his 10-goal star.

The number nine has been a revelation since arriving at Elland Road for free this summer, swatting away early criticism and emerging as a key player for Premier League survival.

Leeds want to stay up, and to do so, they may need Calvert-Lewin to get back to full fitness sooner rather than later, as Farke will now surely expect even more from Lukas Nmecha.

Lukas Nmecha may have extra pressure on shoulders at Leeds

Calvert-Lewin has a knee issue which prevented him from making the squad that beat Norwich 3-0, and though Farke hopes it’s not too serious, knee problems are never good.

The best-case scenario is that the number nine is back fit and ready to go for the Whites’ next league game against Crystal Palace, this Sunday, but if not, the pressure rests on Nmecha’s shoulders.

• Nmecha grabbed an assist against Norwich
• He had a goal against the Canaries ruled out for handball by VAR

Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin have usually played together as a striking pair this season, working off each other’s best traits.

But at no point has the German forward been seen as a lone striker option, barring the early stages of the season before everything changed.

Joel Piroe is the only other natural striker that Farke has at Elland Road after Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, and given the latter’s heavy involvement throughout this season, he may have extra weight on his shoulders to deliver.

Nmecha could find it even more difficult given the circumstances that Leeds now find themselves in heading into the final stretch of the season, but his performances may be telling during the period to come.

Does Nmecha have qualities to save Leeds from relegation?

Regardless of whether Calvert-Lewin returns from injury soon or not, Nmecha will most likely have a pivotal role to play from now until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old has seven goals in all competitions this campaign, proving to be a great pickup by the 49ers on a free transfer this summer, like Calvert-Lewin.

So far, the striker has proved to be a nuisance in the opposition’s box, using his 6,1″ frame to his advantage to make room for shots and other goal-scoring opportunities.

But as mentioned earlier, his true steel will be found out in the coming weeks, especially if Leeds are dealt a hammer blow with Calvert-Lewin.

The Whites are in pole position to stay up right now, but Nmecha’s performances can heavily influence the outcome of their fate.