Daniel Farke issues new Leeds injury update on Noah Okafor and Dan James
Daniel Farke has raised injury concerns over Leeds United duo Noah Okafor and Dan James.
Leeds overcame an almighty scare in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday as they edged Championship side Birmingham City on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in extra time.
Farke made six changes from the side that secured a comeback 2-2 draw at Chelsea, and just when many expected winger James to start, he was nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad.
Leeds fans were clamouring to find out why the Welsh international was not available after recently returning from a hamstring injury.
To make matters worse, fellow winger Okafor was forced off with what looked like a hamstring problem of his own in the second half at Birmingham. And after the match, Farke issued an update on both.
Daniel Farke hopeful over Leeds United duo
Leeds were second best for large portions of their FA Cup clash at St. Andrew’s, but managed to squeeze into the next round.
There weren’t too many positives to take from the win as fringe players such as Ao Tanaka, Facundo Buonanotte, and Sean Longstaff failed to impress.
But Okafor was positive, as his pace and power caused Birmingham a lot of problems. Plus, he got the assist for Lukas Nmecha’s superb opener.
The Swiss international could not continue in the second half, though, and after the encounter, Farke gave an update on Okafor and James’ condition.
Leeds have managed their injury issues relatively well this season, particularly with injury-prone forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha.
James was out for just over two months, and ahead of facing Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday at Villa Park, Farke will hope Okafor and the Welshman are available for that tough test.
If not, Wilfried Gnonto, who also flattered to deceive against Birmingham, could get a rare Premier League start, or perhaps Farke will go with Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin in attack.
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Will Leeds’ lack of January signings come back to haunt them?
One thing the Birmingham game showed is that, at present, the Elland Road outfit lacks strength in depth.
Tanaka was one of Leeds’ best players in the Championship and showed flashes of his quality earlier this season, as was the case with Longstaff before his calf injury, but they looked off the pace.
Leeds instantly improved when captain Ethan Ampadu came on after half-time, while Gnonto and loanee Buonanotte struggled to make an impact.
The latter was Leeds’ sole January signing, as the Whites’ efforts to recruit Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen came up short, with the 25-year-old joining Crystal Palace for £48million instead.
If Okafor and James are out injured, Leeds fans have been wondering if they should have strengthened their attack in the winter window. If they are out for a while, they may have a point.
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