by Staff Writer
Saturday, 4th April 2026
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been contemplating the potential loss of perhaps his most key player as he prepares for Sunday's trip to east London.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Whites' leading goal scorer this season with 10 to his name - all in the Premier League - is considered a major doubt for the FA Cup quarter final in Stratford, for which the winners are guaranteed a trip to Wembley in the last four.
When asked to confirm the striker's availability during his pre-match press conference, Farke admitted that he was unlikely to be able to call upon the service of the England World Cup hopeful after Calvert-Lewin felt his hamstring during training.
"Hopefully it's just minor," he replied, when asked whether Calvert-Lewin would be available. "Just yesterday he felt something during an exercise, we decided to scan him as a precaution. Hopefully he's back tomorrow [for training] - but can't say if he'll be available for West Ham."
On the prospect of having to beat the Hammers in their own back yard, Farke admitted that his side were in for a battle - although he was pleased with the extra day's rest for those players returning from international duty.
And while he revealed the Premier League retains his main focus, Farke warned Nuno Espirito Santo and West Ham United that they would be facing a full strength Leeds side, barring those rendered unavailable through injury.
"We know that to take part [in the semi finals] would be another chapter of history of this club because we have not been there for such a long time," he added. "We want to grab the chance with both hands.
"We are respectful that West Ham will try to do the same and don't have to travel, although the game being on Sunday helps. Plus it's always tricky in the first game after the international break, but it's the same for West Ham.
"The Premier League is our bread and butter and our priority, but I'm a big believer in Cup competitions and we're at this stage for first time in more than two decades. It makes no sense to wrap players in cotton wool. They need to stay in their rhythm, we have a League game eight days later.
"So we want to go with a strong line up. If we feel someone is a risk, we won't risk it, but we want to go with a strong eleven apart from this. If there is a chance to go the semis, we would love to do this so we'll take this game very seriously."
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.