Leeds United have been dealt a potential blow after some pre-West Ham team news, with Daniel Farke facing the prospect of a key absentee.
Leeds travel to London for mouthwatering West Ham tie
Sunday's trip to the London Stadium carries a particular weight for this Leeds side.
West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts-1
Not just because a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley is the prize for whoever comes through — though that alone would be enough — but because of where both clubs find themselves on either side of this cup tie.
West Ham are currently in the Premier League relegation zone, desperate for any lift the competition can provide.
Leeds arrive in only marginally more comfortable territory, a side still looking over their shoulder at the drop, fully aware that their two clubs must meet again on the final day of the league season in a fixture that could prove decisive for both.
Leeds have reached this stage having dispatched Derby 3-1, Birmingham on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and Norwich convincingly by three goals to zero.
West Ham's route to the last eight has been harder-earned — going to extra time against QPR and Burton, and requiring a penalty shootout to see off Brentford.
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It would be a blow for the Hammers.
The Hammers have home advantage, and there is a cautionary historical precedent for Leeds to reflect on: the last occasion they walked into this stadium, back in 2023, ended in a 3-1 defeat and relegation from the Premier League.
Farke's side will be determined to write a different ending this time.
Their only meeting of this season — a Premier League clash at Elland Road in October — went to the Whites, with Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon doing the damage.
What complicates Farke's preparation, however, is the unwelcome news that emerged from training during the international break — and at its centre is the player who has arguably done more than anyone else to make Leeds a functioning Premier League outfit this season.
Leeds could be without Anton Stach for West Ham tie
Anton Stach is a doubt for Sunday's tie after reporting a hip problem in training.
Anton-Stach
The official Leeds website confirmed the concern today, noting that while several players who missed international duty are expected to be available despite limited time to re-integrate with the squad, specific doubts remain around Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The latter is apparently nursing a hamstring problem, again from training.
For Farke, Stach's potential absence represents more than a selection headache.
It is a disruption to the very axis around which his side is built. The 27-year-old German arrived from Hoffenheim in July 2025 for around £20m and has been outstanding in his debut Premier League season — 26 league appearances, four goals and three assists across over 2,000 minutes of football.
Stach anchors Farke's preferred 3-5-2 shape from deep, providing the physical screening, progressive carrying and positional intelligence that allows the system to function on both sides of the ball.
Stach
Farke will likely assess the 'phenomenal' mainstay closely before naming his eleven.
Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff offer further options in that midfield engine room, though neither carries quite the same combination of physical and technical qualities.
A semi-final at Wembley remains within reach, but getting there without their most important midfielder would make the task considerably harder.
Interestingly, reports in the build up to Sunday claim that a return to Leeds for Crysencio Summerville is possible if West Ham go down.
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