Leeds United could be forced into late attacking changes for Sunday’s trip to Sunderland after Daniel Farke said Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor are all doubts.
The Leeds manager gave the update before the weekend match at Sunderland, explaining that all three players picked up problems in the previous game against Manchester United and have missed many training sessions this week. Farke said the club still has two days to try to make them available, but if the game were being played today, none of the three would be ready.
What Farke said about the three doubts
Farke said Calvert-Lewin is dealing with a bruise on his foot after a late tackle and foul in the last game, while Stach is also struggling with a painful foot issue from that same match. Okafor, meanwhile, is managing adductor problems after the Manchester United meeting.
He said Calvert-Lewin has improved over the last few days but has not yet joined team training. On Stach, Farke said the issue is still painful and remains a question mark. On Okafor, the manager gave no suggestion that the forward is any closer to full availability.
Late decisions may be needed
Farke said Leeds will need to assess the three players again before making decisions on their involvement, including how many minutes they might be able to play if they do make the squad. He added that all three are major doubts, along with Joe Rodon, while all the other players appear to be okay.
One positive for Leeds is that Daniel James is available and, in Farke’s words, “definitely also in contention” for the game. That gives Leeds at least one more attacking option as they head to Wearside, but the final call on the three injured players may not come until late.
For Leeds, the timing matters. Sunday’s match at Sunderland comes quickly after the problems suffered against Manchester United, and Farke’s update suggests the club may have to wait until the last possible moment before knowing how much of its attacking group will be available.
