This could be an important week for Daniel Farke regarding players returning from injury
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
13:16, 16 Feb 2026
Noah Okafor went down injured at Birmingham City
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Noah Okafor went down injured at Birmingham City(Image: Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Leeds United got through by the skin of their teeth against Birmingham CIty in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round clash but not without a blemish or two.
Aside from a few poor performances, Noah Okafor had to go off with an issue. Meanwhile, while there is not thought to be any injury problems for either of them, key defenders Gabriel Gudmundsson and James Justin played 120 minutes.
And before the match had started, eyebrows were raised when Daniel James was left out - and it turned out to be due to injury as feared. Here is a low-down on those who are currently working their way back to fitness ahead of Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa.
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Noah Okafor
Okafor was forced off before full-time of regulation time on Sunday with what looked to be a hamstring injury, the winger holding the back of his leg after taking on his man. Daniel Farke was unable to give a full update after the game.
He said: “After a sprint, he felt a bit in his muscle. I hope it's just a cramp, but we have to assess him, so I hope it's not too bad and we have him available for the [Aston Villa] game… it's too early. We have to assess him.”
Potential return date: February 21 vs Aston Villa
Daniel James
The Welshman has suffered a fifth injury of the season with a back problem ruling him out of the trip to Birmingham. He was left out of the squad as a precaution but the extent of his issue is not certain.
“Daniel James, just before the game, was ruled out yesterday. He had some problems with his back and didn't feel comfortable in his movements and wasn't able to sprint” Farke detailed on Sunday. “So for that, we had to leave him out.”
Potential return date: February 21 vs Aston Villa
Anton Stach
Stach was ruled out of the Birmingham game last week, with the midfielder not yet over his hip flexor problem. Farke had always circled the trip to Villa as the game for his return.
Stach has played just three times since the 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United on January 7, having missed the win over Fulham with a muscle problem. His return will be welcome following a poor display from the midfield at St Andrew’s, albeit whether he starts or not remains to be seen.
Potential return date: February 21 vs Aston Villa
Pascal Struijk
The centre-back was touch and go for the Birmingham cup tie but with Farke unwilling to risk any doubts, Struijk was ruled out on Friday. He too has a hip flexor issue.
With James Justin, who has played at right-centre back in the back three recently, playing 120 minutes against Birmingham, Struijk’s return for Villa could be timely. Prior to his injury, Struijk had started every Premier League game since November 23.
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Potential return date: February 21 vs Aston Villa