Leeds United hit with fresh injury concern during West Ham FA Cup clash
The injury issue occurred in the first-half of Leeds United’s FA Cup meeting with West Ham.
Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach was forced off with an injury during the first-half of Sunday’s FA Cup game against West Ham.
Stach picked up the injury towards the end of the first-half after being on the receiving end of a heavy Max Kilman challenge. The Leeds midfielder was played in on goal by Noah Okafor during a swift counter-attack and had a shot well-saved by Alphonse Areola.
West Ham defender Kilman was stretching in an attempt to block Stach’s effort but instead went straight through the German, whose right ankle looked to have rolled under the impact. He was in a lot of pain and received on-pitch medical attention before limping around the pitch.
Stach did attempt to come back on but by that point, substitute Brenden Aaronson was already taking his training gear off. The American came on just a couple of minutes later, with his 6ft 4ins teammate still looking sheepish and in pain.
Stach was a doubt for the cup clash after reporting a hip issue in training. The 27-year-old was on international duty with Germany over the past fortnight but got reduced minutes, coming off the bench once against Switzerland.
The midfielder was part of a dominant Leeds midfield during the first-half in London, winning duels and progressing the ball forward. His side were a goal ahead at the time of the injury, with Ao Tanaka capping off a slick move with a deflected effort on 26 minutes.
Leeds were already without two fresh absences, with Gabriel Gudmundsson and Daniel James both left out of the matchday squad. James is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a adductor strain while a decision was made not to risk Gudmundsson amid a minor groin issue.