Leeds United winger Noah Okafor has been left out of Switzerland’s squad against Norway today due to injury precaution.
United are back in action this weekend away to West Ham in the FA Cup.
Daniel Farke will be welcoming internationals back soon at Thorp Arch, with more national fixtures taking place this evening for a core group of the squad.
Noah Okafor left out of Switzerland clash vs Norway due to injury precaution
For Noah Okafor, he wasn’t initially set to be part of Murat Yakin’s Switzerland squad this month.
It’s well documented that Okafor isn’t favoured by the 51-year-old. But, he was drafted into this squad after injuries elsewhere.
Importantly, Okafor had only returned to action off the bench for Leeds in the home clash with Brentford just before this break, so clearly not at full fitness after his hamstring issue.
Unused against Anton Stach’s Germany, tonight’s clash against Norway now sees Okafor completely absent from the squad.
The Swiss national team have issued an update on social media, clearing up his and Granit Xhaka’s omission as a precaution due to concerns over existing injuries – referring to Okafor’s efforts to get back to fitness presumably.
“Granit Xhaka and Noah Okafor are not in the squad today. Both are returning from an injury; this is a precautionary measure. The decision was made in consultation between the players and the coaching staff,” the statement reads.
Should Leeds United fans panic as Switzerland suggest injury concern for Noah Okafor?
You see the word ‘injury’ in the same sentence as Okafor and you immediately panic. However, I don’t think this is anything to be truly worried about, in my opinion.
Two things are probably true: Okafor isn’t at 100% yet. And, Yakin isn’t fully convinced to throw him into the lineup anyway.
If he’s not up to top speed, Yakin isn’t going to play him and risk further injury, because he wasn’t going to pick him anyway until someone else got injured.
I’m not sure I’d be starting him in the FA Cup this weekend, though.
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