Leeds United have received a significant fitness boost ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Bournemouth, with key forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor available for selection. The pair, who were doubts for last weekend's goalless draw at Sunderland, have come through their respective issues and are in contention for the clash at the Vitality Stadium. That result on Sunday 25 October was part of a recent run of one win, three draws and one loss from their last five league games, which also included a 1-1 draw with Manchester United and a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Calvert-Lewin, the club's top scorer this season with three goals in eight appearances, played 85 minutes at the Stadium of Light despite a bruised foot. Okafor, who had been struggling with an adductor problem, was a second-half substitute in the same match. Manager Daniel Farke had stressed that "extra care needed to be taken with Okafor's issue as a muscular injury," but the Swiss forward's return to action is a welcome development.
Midfielder Anton Stach also made a swift return from a foot problem, appearing as a substitute against Sunderland. Winger Dan James is back in full training after a back injury, while young forward Eli Junior Kroupi has been named in a matchday squad for the first time this season following his recovery from summer surgery.
Their recent form shows one win, three draws and one loss from their last five outings. The stalemate at bottom-placed Sunderland extended their unbeaten run in the league to two matches. The team has scored nine goals and conceded six this season, leaving them ten points behind the league leaders, Manchester City.
Bournemouth, under new manager Marco Rose, present a formidable challenge. After a slow start to the season, the Cherries have won their last four matches in all competitions without conceding a goal, including a 3-0 victory at Manchester United last time out. They host Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before facing Leeds. The upcoming fixture on Saturday 31 October sees Leeds travel to face a Bournemouth side currently 13th in the table.
Farke's side have a free midweek to prepare for the long journey south. The match kicks off at 3pm local time on Saturday, 31 October.
