Leeds United's Noah Okafor breaks silence on injury absence ahead of West Ham FA Cup clash | OneFootball

Noah Okafor has addressed his absence for Switzerland, stressing a precautionary approach after a recent hamstring injury. The Leeds United winger has only just ended a 17-month wait for a recall ahead of an FA Cup quarter-final at West Ham.

Called up to replace injured compatriot Filip Ugrinić, he did not play in friendlies against Germany and Norway. It was suggested he might have featured against Germany before a minor issue in training.

The Swiss FA said Granit Xhaka and Okafor were left out as a precaution, with the decision taken in consultation. Both were returning from injury.

Okafor recently returned from a month-long hamstring lay-off, playing the final 22 minutes of Leeds’ 0-0 draw at Brentford. He later posted that he enjoyed being back, gave everything in training to support the squad, agreed with staff not to take risks so soon after injury, and said he hopes to be back again very soon.

Leeds will welcome the careful management, with his one-v-one threat missed in recent weeks. He could be important in the Premier League relegation battle and could feature on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Dominic Calvert-Lewin got 32 minutes for England against Uruguay on Friday before returning home. Daniel James and Ethan Ampadu were initially rested for Wales against Northern Ireland, then introduced after half-time.

Brenden Aaronson played 11 minutes for the USA against Portugal, while Ao Tanaka came off the bench for Japan against England.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk