Key Points
- Noah Okafor is expected to miss the next two games for Leeds United after suffering a calf strain, according to assistant manager Edmund Riemer.
- Leeds expect Okafor to miss Monday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, with the hope that he can return for the final match of the season.
- Gabriel Gudmundsson is also set to miss the Tottenham fixture, with reports indicating he is targeting a return for the final two matches of the campaign.
- Okafor has been in strong form, scoring six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, including two in the win at Manchester United in April.
- Several reports say Leeds could be without up to four players in the worst-case scenario, depending on late fitness checks.
Leeds United (The Leeds Times) May 9, 2026, will head into Monday’s Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur with fresh injury concerns, as Noah Okafor is ruled out and Gabriel Gudmundsson is also expected to miss out.
Why is Noah Okafor out?
As reported by Edmund Riemer, assistant manager at Leeds United, Noah Okafor has picked up a calf strain and will miss the next two games.
The update says the winger suffered the setback after the FA Cup game, with the issue affecting his calf again after earlier muscle problems this season. One report added that he had previously dealt with a hamstring problem between February and March, which kept him out for five matches.
The injury matters because Okafor has been one of Leeds’ most effective attacking players in recent weeks. He has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, and two of those came in the club’s historic win at Manchester United in April. That form has made his absence more significant for a side trying to finish the season strongly.
What has Leeds said about Gudmundsson?
As reported by multiple outlets, Gabriel Gudmundsson is also expected to miss the Tottenham match. One report said he is week-to-week with a hamstring issue, while another indicated Leeds hope he can return for the final two games of the season.
That means Leeds are managing another defensive absence at a time when the schedule leaves little room for recovery.
The exact return date remains uncertain, but the clearest expectation is that he will not be available for Monday.
Reports also suggest the club will monitor him daily before deciding whether he can feature again before the season ends. For now, Leeds appear to be planning without him.
How many players could miss Tottenham?
Several reports suggest Leeds could be without more than just Okafor and Gudmundsson, with one outlet saying four players could miss the contest in the worst-case scenario.
The same report named Pascal Struijk as a minor doubt, while also noting Ilia Gruev remains out for the rest of the season.
Another team-news report said Leeds had already ruled out Okafor and Gudmundsson for the north London trip.
That leaves Leeds with the possibility of late changes after further assessment. While some players may yet pass fitness checks, the confirmed absence of Okafor is already a major attacking loss. Gudmundsson’s absence also reduces Leeds’ options, particularly if the match demands defensive stability and width.
What did the reports say in detail?
The clearest direct update came via Riemer, who said:
“Then we have got another one with Noah, who picked up a calf strain, so he will miss the next two games.”
He added that Leeds are hopeful Okafor will be available for the last game of the season. The same update said the player sustained the injury after the FA Cup tie and that the concern involves both calves.
On Gudmundsson, reports quoted Leeds as saying he would be sidelined this week and evaluated daily, with the target of a possible return later in the campaign.
Another report said he was being treated as a week-to-week absence and would likely miss both Burnley and Tottenham, though the end-of-season run-in remains the target. Taken together, the reports point to Leeds being cautious rather than taking risks with either player.
Background of this development
Leeds’ injury issues have emerged at a crucial point in the season, with the club trying to balance fitness, selection and end-of-season results.
Okafor’s importance has grown because of his scoring run, which has included a productive spell over the last seven league matches.
Gudmundsson’s situation matters because Leeds also need reliable options at the back and in wider defensive roles.
The wider injury picture around the Tottenham fixture also underlines how late-season availability can shape team news.
Reports on the opposition have described Spurs as dealing with their own injury list, but Leeds’ concern is mainly about who they can field from their own squad. In that context, every late fitness update becomes significant.
What could this mean?
For Leeds United supporters, the immediate effect is a weakened attacking unit for a difficult away fixture. Okafor’s absence removes a player who has been contributing goals at a strong rate, so Leeds may need to adjust their front line and rely on other attackers to carry more responsibility. If Gudmundsson also misses out, Leeds could be forced into further changes in shape or selection.
For the team’s broader season run-in, the main impact is that Leeds may be forced to manage fitness carefully rather than chase short-term returns. If the recovery timelines in these reports hold, both players could still have a role in the final game or final two matches, which may shape how cautiously the club approaches their rehabilitation. That would matter most to Leeds because the closing fixtures may depend on having as many senior players available as possible.
