Abdulhafiz TeslimLeeds United have been dealt an injury blow heading into their Premier League final-day clash with West Ham United.
For Leeds, Sunday’s trip to the London Stadium is effectively a dead rubber — 14th in the table, safe since the middle of the month, and with nothing left to play for beyond professional pride and a strong finish to the campaign.
Daniel Farke can rotate, rest players, and start thinking about next season.
For West Ham, it could not be more different.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are 18th on 36 points, two behind Tottenham Hotspur in 17th, and need to win while hoping Spurs lose at home to Everton in the other 3pm kick-off.
The odds are stacked heavily against them — Tottenham’s superior goal difference means even a one-point haul for Spurs would be enough — but stranger things have happened on the final day.
West Ham will throw everything at this game because they have no choice.
It is the kind of fixture that can catch a visiting team cold.
Leeds have nothing riding on the result, the atmosphere will be intense, and West Ham’s desperation could make them dangerous opponents.
Farke will want a professional performance, and he will want to avoid injuries to key players ahead of what promises to be an important summer of recruitment.
Anton Stach set to miss West Ham vs Leeds through injury
Anton Stach, the 27-year-old German midfielder who has been one of Leeds’ most impressive performers this season, will miss the game after picking up a wound that requires stitches.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Farke gave an update that was measured but reassuring.
> “So bad news that he is not available for this game,” he explained.
“Good news is it is not a major injury. He just needs to be stitched anyhow. And if the game would be next Wednesday or Thursday, he would be available.
“So it is not a major injury. Just for this game, it is not possible. He will definitely miss this game.”
It is a minor inconvenience rather than a genuine concern.
Stach has been one of the signings of the season in the Premier League, arriving from TSG Hoffenheim last July and immediately establishing himself as the anchor of Leeds’ midfield.
Five goals and three assists from a defensive midfield position in his debut English campaign is an excellent return, while his composure on the ball, physical presence at 6ft 4in, and tactical intelligence have given Farke’s side a solidity in central midfield that they lacked during their previous spell in the top flight.
Despite his status as a “very important” player for Leeds, Stach has unfortunately missed out on the Germany national football team squad for this summer’s World Cup, though he should at least return fully fit and ready for pre-season.
Leeds will likely turn to Ilia Gruev, Ao Tanaka or Sean Longstaff to fill the void on Sunday.
None of them will replicate exactly what Stach brings, but for one afternoon, they do not need to.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
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