Add as preferred source on Google
Daniel Farke cannot help but feel West Ham United have a slight advantage over his Leeds side as Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at the London Stadium looms.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday lunchtime, Farke confirmed that top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a doubt due to a hamstring issue. Anton Stach is likely to be passed fit after some injury concerns of his own, though, while Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow and Dan James are expected to travel.
But therein lies a potential problem. The travel.
Wembley awaits the winner!
What is your favourite FA Cup moment of 2026 so far? 🏆
Leeds’ away record is the tenth-worst in England’s top four divisions in 2025/26. Home advantage may count for twice as much, then, as far as West Ham United are concerned.
Daniel Farke concerned as West Ham United host Leeds in FA Cup quarter-final
Farke also wishes his players did not have to make the trip down to London in the immediate aftermath of the international break.
Key trio Darlow, Ampadu and James all featured as Wales drew 1-1 with Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Rampaging left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson played the full 90 minutes, meanwhile, as Sweden beat Poland 3-2 in an exhausting World Cup play-off on the same evening.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
“It’s always tricky,” said Farke, who also hopes to have Jaka Bijol fully fit after he captained Slovenia in their 3-2 victory over North Macedonia. “For the players who were involved in the games – for example, Tuesday – it was tricky because they had to travel back on Wednesday.
“There’s no chance, more or less, for one or two days off. I would love to give them a bit more time off to clear their heads but, due to the fact that we have to play an important game on Sunday, we can’t allow them to go away for two or three days right now.
“The last time they had a bit of time off was in November. Through the Christmas period and New Year, they had to keep going, and this cost lots of energy; physically and mentally.
“Some other teams allow themselves a few more days off, but we are a newly promoted side. We are in the middle of a relegation battle and we’re also still in the FA Cup, so we can’t allow too many days off.”
Nuno Espirito Santo hopes to have Crysencio Summerville available
Tomas Soucek went head-to-head with Mads Hermansen on Tuesday; the Czech Republic breaking Danish hearts in a tense play-off in Prague. Mateus Fernandes made his debut for Portugal, Jarrod Bowen featured for England, and El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka made long trips back from Senegal and Mexico respectively.
Summerville touch-and-go for the FA Cup quarter-final! 🏆
Who would you pick to START vs Leeds?
Select your favourite for each position and we will collate an XI based on your overall votes!
Still, a home fixture in the FA Cup quarter-finals means the Hammers – unlike Leeds – have that little bit longer to prepare.
“Of course, we want to grab the chance [to reach Wembley] with both hands. [But West Ham] don’t have to travel,” Farke adds. “Travelling on the first game day after an international break is even a bit more difficult due to the narrow time frame.
“But at least the game is on Sunday and not on a Saturday! That helps a little bit.”
Hammers News have been told that Crysencio Summerville remains touch-and-go ahead of the visit of his old employers. Konstantinos Mavropanos suffered a head injury on Greece duty, meanwhile, so fans will be hanging onto Nuno’s every word when he is quizzed on the fitness of a star duo on Friday.
Nuno will also be hoping Soucek did not hit the Pilsner too hard after the Czech Republic ended their 20-year World Cup exile. Alphonse Areola is expected to start in place of Hermansen, while Kyle Walker-Peters, Ollie Scarles and Mohamadou Kante are waiting in the wings if Wan-Bissaka, Diouf and Fernandes need a breather.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox