The midfielder suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury during Leeds United's FA Cup win at West Ham.
Anton Stach hopes to be ‘back soon’ from an ankle injury picked up during Sunday’s penalty-shootout FA Cup quarter-final win at West Ham.
Referee Craig Pawson opted against awarding a penalty, with a VAR review deeming the challenge a ‘natural coming together’. Stach received on-pitch treatment and looked in real pain, briefly re-entering the pitch before being replaced by Brenden Aaronson.
In a post on Instagram, which included one typically-quirky edited photo, Stach wrote: “Quarterfinals in the Cart, next stop: Wembley. I hope to be back soon and ready to roll. Thank you for the amazing support”.
Leeds were 1-0 up at the time of Stach’s injury and dominating, particularly in midfield with the German and Ao Tanaka particularly impressive. The Japan international scored his side’s opener after a great piece of footwork as West Ham struggled to gain any control in that area of the pitch.
An element of control was lost following Aaronson’s introduction and after going two goals up through a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty, Leeds conceded twice in added-time of normal time. The Whites eventually won 4-2 on penalties, with shootout hero Lucas Perri denying Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe.
Leeds United await Anton Stach injury update
Leeds will now be sweating on the severity of Stach’s injury, with the German set for further assessment this week. Speaking immediately after full-time on Sunday, manager Daniel Farke admitted he expects his compatriot to have suffered a ligament injury, which makes him a serious doubt for Manchester United on Monday.
“Anton should have been rewarded with a penalty, hit against his ankle, probably a ligament injury,” the Whites boss said. “We have to assess how bad it is. I hope it's not too bad, he was running the game, it was a major set-back to lose him. He's a key player for us and I hope it's not too bad."
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Farke will also be sweating on the fitness of Joe Rodon, who like Stach was forced off with an ankle injury. The Welshman picked up the issue after half-time, having seemingly fallen awkwardly following a set-piece. He was replaced by Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Noah Okafor also came off in the second half, with the Swiss winger going down and rubbing the back of his legs. Having only just returned from a lengthy hamstring injury, however, Farke suggested it was nothing to be immediately concerned about.
"I think Noah seems to be alright, just cramps, understandable after being out," said Farke. "Joe Rodon rolled his ankle, we have to assess him. Thank God there's a bit of time before the next game.”
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