(Credit: Imago, Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
(Credit: Imago, Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Noah Okafor sends message as Leeds return imminent vs Crystal Palace

Evan Shaw

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at Football League World and Burton Albion FC; Derby University graduate. FOCUS Transfer coverage and behind-the-scenes insight across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Evan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed transfer reporting. He provides the depth behind the deals to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Noah Okafor appears set to return to the Leeds United squad for their trip to face Crystal Palace this weekend.

The Switzerland international has been an influential figure for the Whites this season after joining from AC Milan last summer, but they have been forced to live without him in recent weeks.

The winger hasn't featured for his club since the FA Cup win at Birmingham City on 15 February, and his creativity has been sorely missed since then, as Daniel Farke's men have failed to score in two of their last four games.

Leeds' injury room has been filled with some key names of late, but at least one could return this weekend, with Okafor in contention to feature at Selhurst Park.

Noah Okafor in Leeds United's away kit
Okafor has been out of action in recent weeks. (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Noah Okafor Instagram story hints at imminent return

Okafor is among Leeds' top scorers in the Premier League this season, as he already has four goals to his name in his debut campaign in English football.

The Whites have stumbled again after their promising upturn looked to have pulled them away from any fears of relegation, and their recent issues have coincided with the wideman's absence.

However, it is beginning to look increasingly likely that he could be fit enough to at least feature in the matchday squad in South London this weekend, as he is now back in full training with the team.

Okafor shared photos of himself in action at Leeds' Thorp Arch training ground to his Instagram story on Thursday afternoon, and accompanied the image with the simple caption: "Back," before adding an emoji of a face licking its lips.

A screenshot of Noah Okafor's Instagram story, showing him training at Thorp Arch.
Okafor is now back in training. (Credit: @noah.arinze on Instagram)

With the 25-year-old now back with the rest of the group throughout the week, Farke will surely be keen to involve him against Palace this weekend, even if that comes in the form of a cameo appearance.

Leeds eye signing of new attacker this summer

Football Insider revealed back in February that Leeds are continuing to keep tabs on Derby County striker Patrick Agyemang, with the Rams braced to receive "big offers" for him this summer.

The Whites briefly tried to make a move for the American during the January window, and they are prepared to accelerate their interest once again if they get an indication that he could be lured away this summer.

Farke has struggled with a lack of depth at the top of the pitch so far this term, with little goalscoring backup for leading frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Okafor has even operated in a central role at times as a result, with the boss going in search of makeshift solutions at certain stages of the campaign.

However, that looks set to be addressed ahead of next term, when the West Yorkshire outfit will be hoping that their Premier League status remains in tact.

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