Noah Okafor blow a blessing in disguise for Daniel Farke and Leeds United
Noah Okafor will be unavailable for Leeds United’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Swiss forward is expected to miss up to four weeks with a hamstring injury that he picked up in the latter stages of the Whites’ FA Cup fourth-round win over Birmingham City.
At first, it was thought that Okafor had just been suffering from cramp, but Daniel Farke confirmed that it was a more serious issue during his pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of the Villa game.
While the 25-year-old’s injury is undoubtedly a blow for Leeds, it may give them a chance to relaunch an impressive partnership from earlier in the season.
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Lukas Nmecha to benefit from Noah Okafor injury
Lukas Nmecha has now scored in each of his last three appearances across all competitions, and the German could be the one to benefit from Okafor’s injury.
He has been in and out of the side since the turn of the year due to fitness issues of his own, but he is now getting some consistency back.
There was no guarantee that he would be starting against Villa, though, with Farke often preferring Okafor as a second striker this season.
However, now that the Swiss international is out of the picture, Nmecha should be assured of his place in the team.
The former Manchester City youngster already has six goals and one assist to his name, from just 20 Premier League appearances this season.
Nmecha also has a goal and an assist in the FA Cup as well, and has proved to be a real threat for Leeds across the last few months.
Lukas Nmecha can strike up old partnership
Not only can he find the back of the net himself, but Nmecha also links up well with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
When Farke first switched to a five-at-the-back formation at the end of November, it was Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin together in a front two.
Now the Leeds boss has the perfect opportunity to utilise the duo again, starting against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Between them, Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have 17 goals to their name across all competitions for Leeds this season, and you wouldn’t bet against them adding to that tally at Villa Park.
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