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Leeds United is gearing up for their upcoming match against Sunderland on Friday night, but they are facing some significant injury setbacks. Manager Daniel Farke has confirmed that Ethan Ampadu will not be available for the trip to Sunderland, and he may be sidelined for more than two months. The Welsh international has become a key player for Leeds since his £5.5 million transfer from Chelsea last summer, making 54 appearances in his debut season at Elland Road, where the team narrowly missed returning to the Premier League. Ampadu had been a consistent presence, starting all eight competitive matches this season, but he is now expected to be out for an extended period due to a lateral knee ligament injury sustained during Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Coventry City.
Farke addressed the situation ahead of Tuesday’s match against his former club, Norwich City, stating, “We have to discuss a few things today.” He confirmed that Ampadu’s injury is serious, explaining that the doctors have recommended conservative treatment, eliminating the need for surgery. He anticipates that it could be around ten weeks before Ampadu is back in team training, with a potential return to play expected sometime in December. However, Farke noted that Ampadu will require some team training before he can rejoin the matches, likely pushing his full return into January.
With Ampadu out, Pascal Struijk will take on the role of Leeds captain for the foreseeable future. Farke has commended Struijk for his recent development in leadership and performance, highlighting his key contributions over the past season. “He has shown significant improvement in his leadership skills and has been a vital player for us, delivering fantastic performances. It’s crucial for him to maintain that level right now,” Farke remarked.
Ampadu is not the only player missing for the match at the Stadium of Light. Defender Max Wober is set to undergo knee surgery on Tuesday, which could keep him out for approximately six weeks. Additionally, wingers Dan James and Manor Solomon, along with full-back Isaac Schmidt, will also miss the away game against Norwich, and their availability for the match against Sunderland remains uncertain.