Leeds United have an injury concern this week with Noah Okafor hobbling off in the FA Cup against Birmingham City, while Dan James was absent with a back injury.
Daniel Farke’s main objective this season is to keep Leeds in the Premier League. So, if there’s any setbacks that follow FA Cup results at the moment, it’ll be an incredibly frustrating development.
Leeds now have two injury headaches to contend with following the penalty shootout win over Birmingham City, as we look ahead to Aston Villa.
Leeds United injury news: Dan James and Noah Okafor fresh injury concerns emerge
When lineups were confirmed, there was hope that Dan James would be named in the starting lineup. His very encouraging cameo against Nottingham Forest indicated he could benefit from a proper run-out in the cup, but he was omitted due to injury.
Farke revealed post-match that the Wales international was ruled out with a new back issue. Meanwhile, fellow winger Noah Okafor was unable to complete 90 minutes.
Okafor, having assisted Leeds’ opener, pulled up with a hamstring complaint in the second half after a driving run forced a corner. He then limped off clearly in some distress with his leg.
The Leeds boss was unable to deliver a definitive update on Okafor’s fitness for this week’s trip to Aston Villa.
Opportunity knocks for Willy Gnonto as Leeds United face Aston Villa
If Leeds are without two wide options to supplement Dominic Calvert-Lewin away to Aston Villa, then surely Willy Gnonto has a big opportunity under Farke.
Gnonto has played just 350 minutes in the Premier League this season. That’s nearly enough for someone of his talent. Although, he’s always going to find it tough getting starts when it’s going so well for Calvert-Lewin, Okafor, Brenden Aaronson and others.
A clip from ‘Daily Leeds Goals’ on X was posted yesterday of Gnonto whipping that incredible cross to Joel Piroe in the playoffs against Norwich. It prompted me to think of why we can’t get more use out of someone with such quality out wide. Especially given that our striker is a magnet for crosses.
Of course, Farke is right to keep his starting attacking setup as is. But, Gnonto looks a superb alternative that ought to be used more – see draws against Liverpool (H) and Brentford.
Gary Neville wowed by Willy Gnonto last time Leeds United played Aston Villa at Villa Park
Last time Gnonto played at Villa Park, Gary Neville was shopping him out to the world after a dazzling performance.
Gnonto, at the time, was a relative unknown in the Premier League outside of Leeds, joining from FC Zurich for £3.8million previously.
“Leeds fans won’t like me for saying this. But, when you look at a player like Gnonto and you look at how Manchester City play where they play those little passes into those midfield runners. He just looks like a Manchester City winger,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
“I’m not selling him off. I’m sure they want to see him for another few years at Leeds United but he looks really really good, so mature in his decision making on the ball. He was exceptional and didn’t deserve to be on the losing team.
“I will go away from this game thinking I’ve seen a special young talent. He was absolutely exceptional. Honestly, sometimes you see potential and talent and you are excited but I watched him so closely and his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, his choice of when to run with it, his awareness if his team mates. Really, really good. To see someone so mature so young, very unusual in that position.”
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