Skipper Jarrod Bowen affirms West Ham possess a strong collective morale as the Premier League’s third-lowest ranked team prepares to welcome sixth-lowest ranked Leeds United, vying for a spot in the FA Cup’s final four at Wembley Stadium.
Months before its inauguration, the revamped Wembley Stadium was yet to open its doors when the Hammers last advanced beyond the quarter-finals, having suffered defeat in the 2005/06 final against Liverpool via a penalty shootout.
“We have a genuine opportunity to transform what has been an unremarkable season into something truly extraordinary through the remaining seven league fixtures and three possible FA Cup encounters,” Bowen remarked in an interview for West Ham’s official program, noting his team trailed Tottenham by a single point, Nottingham Forest by three, and Leeds by four in the top division.
“This is the crucial phase of the season, with no further interruptions until its conclusion. It feels good to return, and we’ve dedicated ourselves to diligent training at Rush Green over the past few days to ensure our readiness.”
“Securing a trip to Wembley for all connected with this club would be phenomenal. This is the FA Cup, the tournament we all watched as children and yearned to conquer, and a victory would propel us to the national arena, making this a significant chance, a momentous occasion, and something I eagerly anticipate.”
“Leeds will be accompanied by a substantial number of their supporters, ensuring a fantastic atmosphere for what promises to be an excellent match. Now, our task is simply to perform and achieve it.”
The visiting squad finds itself in the quarter-finals for the initial time since the 2002/03 season, their last appearance in the semi-finals concluding in an extra-time loss to Coventry City at Hillsborough during the 1986/87 campaign.
“We are aware that we collectively possess the opportunity to forge additional history for this club,” stated head coach Daniel Farke, who previously led Leeds to Wembley where they were defeated by Southampton in the 2024 Championship play-off final.
“Participating in the semi-finals would represent a further historical chapter for this club as we have been absent from that stage for a considerable duration.”
“This collective is exceptionally cohesive and profoundly driven to accomplish something extraordinary. We are quite pleased to have reached the quarter-finals.”
“Our players have performed admirably, and naturally, we aim to seize this opportunity wholeheartedly. We understand West Ham will endeavor to do likewise, and their lack of travel on the initial match day following the international break presents a slight disadvantage for us.”
“Our intention is to compete robustly, and it would signify a remarkable accomplishment should we advance.”
West Ham United v Leeds United squad updates
West Ham face fitness concerns regarding defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos (concussion) and Jean-Clair Todibo (calf).
Crysencio Summerville is also potentially unavailable due to a calf issue. The erstwhile Leeds winger, alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tomas Soucek, Kyle Walker-Peters, Taty Castellanos, and Soungoutou Magassa, is one caution away from an FA Cup ban.
Leeds are uncertain about the availability of forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor due to hamstring complaints; however, left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson is anticipated to return from suspension, notwithstanding a minor injury sustained during his time with Sweden.
West Ham face fitness concerns regarding defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos (concussion) and Jean-Clair Todibo (calf).
To qualify for a potential semi-final, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle, Wilfried Gnonto, and Brenden Aaronson need to evade receiving further bookings.
