Leeds United will play West Ham in the FA Cup and Premier League before this season is over.
Leeds United’s FA Cup opponents and relegation rivals West Ham suffered a fresh injury blow in the build-up to Sunday’s defeat at Aston Villa.
And beyond the scoreline, West Ham were dealt a fresh blow on Sunday with defender Jean-Clair Todibo withdrawn from the pre-game warm-up at Villa Park. The Athletic report Todibo was pointing to his calf after a passing drill when speaking with the medical team.
The French centre-back, signed permanently last summer for £33m, was due to start in a back three alongside Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos. But he was replaced in the line-up by midfielder Freddie Potts as Espirito Santo switched to a back four at the last minute.
Todibo has been excellent in recent weeks, playing a large part in West Ham’s improved form under Espirito Santo. Should the 26-year-old have a calf injury, he would be a major doubt for Leeds’ FA Cup quarter-final trip to the London Stadium in two weeks.
Espirito Santo would also seemingly lose the chance to play that back-three formation which has brought recent success. Max Kilman is an option but has struggled massively this season and was left on the bench at Villa Park, with midfielder Potts preferred.
Another injury blow for West Ham ahead of Leeds United FA Cup tie
Star winger Crysencio Summerville is also currently out with a calf injury, having missed West Ham’s last two games. The former Leeds player missed out on a first-ever Netherlands call-up due to the problem and is also a doubt for the FA Cup visit of his old teammates in under a fortnight.
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Sunday’s defeat at Villa was just the second in seven Premier League games for West Ham but came at one of the worst possible times, particularly given the poor level of performance. Espirito Santo’s side now have two weeks to stew on the disappointment before facing Leeds, and a further week before their next league game at home to Wolves.
“It is not good to go into the international break with this feeling,” the West Ham boss told Sky Sports. ”It is realising that we must do better. We have a lot of work to do. We didn’t play good, we have to react, do things better, and we are in the fight.
“It is a moment to reflect and realise we have to do much better. I think the fans today felt disappointed with us, and that is what hurts the most.”
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