Leeds United's Noah Okafor explains Switzerland absence after injury ahead of West Ham FA Cup tie | OneFootball

Leeds United winger Noah Okafor took a cautious approach on his Switzerland return after a hamstring injury, sitting out friendlies against Germany and Norway.

Recalled to replace Filip Ugrinić and ending a 17-month international absence, the 25-year-old was not in Tuesday’s squad against Norway. The player said in a post that, so soon after his injury, he and the staff agreed not to take any risks, adding that he enjoyed being back and supported the team.

Okafor had only just returned after around a month out with a hamstring issue, coming on for the final 22 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Brentford. It looks to have been a precaution to avoid overworking him.

Leeds will be relieved, with his one-v-one threat missed in recent weeks. He could feature in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at West Ham and is hoped to play a key role in the Premier League relegation battle.

Leeds also managed others during the break. Dominic Calvert-Lewin played 32 minutes for England against Uruguay on Friday before returning home, Daniel James and Ethan Ampadu were initially rested for Wales against Northern Ireland before coming on in the second half. Brenden Aaronson got 11 minutes for the USA against Portugal overnight and Ao Tanaka came off the bench for Japan against England.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk