'Important' Anton Stach message rings true for Leeds United trio with World Cup dream in sight | OneFootball

Leeds United could be mathematically safe before Tottenham on Monday if West Ham lose to Arsenal, yet World Cup ambitions ensure the intensity remains high.

Noah Okafor said: "For sure, I would be happy to go to the World Cup with my country. I think [there is] nothing nicer than to go to a World Cup with your own country. I'm confident about this, but first we have to finish these three games here, and then we will see what happens", speaking to BBC Sport.

With Tottenham, then Brighton and West Ham to finish, each league position is worth about £3 million and bonuses may rise, so there is tangible motivation.

Anton Stach is on the fringes of Germany after a first call-up in almost four years and only 11 minutes against Switzerland. He contests places with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Angelo Stiller and Pascal Gross, and Julian Nagelsmann has said he is neither outstanding in the air nor a top ball-winner.

For England, Dominic Calvert-Lewin played 35 minutes against Uruguay before a planned early return. Harry Kane is first-choice, with Danny Welbeck on 12 in the Premier League, one ahead of Calvert-Lewin, and Ollie Watkins one behind, while on 17 across all competitions.

If fit, Gabriel Gudmundsson is close to Sweden’s squad, Ao Tanaka should travel with Japan, and Brenden Aaronson, despite recent USA omissions, is likely to be involved at a home World Cup.

Okafor has a calf strain and will miss Tottenham and Brighton, assistant Edmund Riemer said on Friday, leaving West Ham as his final audition.

The trio each scored in the 3-1 win at Burnley. "The last three games are important for us," Stach said, with a higher finish still in reach.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk