Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Sat 16 May 2026 17:10, UK

Ethan Ampadu is battling an illness ahead of Leeds United‘s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.

The Wales international is one of 11 players who could be absent across both sides for the clash at Elland Road.

Leeds’ Premier League safety is already assured ahead of the showdown, while Brighton are aiming to secure a European spot.

Like Leeds, Brighton have injury issues of their own and could be slightly depleted for their trip north to West Yorkshire.

Ahead of Sunday’s clash, MOT Leeds News rounds up all the latest injury and suspension news.

Noah Okafor and Ilia Gruev definitely out for Leeds

Daniel Farke‘s aim for the season may have been achieved in keeping Leeds up, but the German will not allow his players to ease off.

That was seen on Monday as Leeds battled to a 1-1 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur to keep their momentum going.

Leeds were without a few players for that game, including Noah Okafor and Ilia Gruev, who will also be absent against Brighton.

Farke hopes to have attacker Okafor back for the final day of the season when Leeds travel to West Ham United.

Meanwhile, Ethan Ampadu – hailed as “brilliant” by Andy Hinchcliffe – has now emerged as a major doubt to face the Seagulls due to illness.

Providing an update on Friday, Farke told reporters: “Ethan Ampadu is struggling with illness currently. He’s also a major doubt. He was not in training today, so a few question marks.”

Pascal Struijk will undergo a late fitness test, while Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle are Leeds’ other doubts. Facundo Buonanotte is ineligible to face his parent club.

Three players definitely ruled out for Brighton

As for Brighton, Kaoru Mitoma is out with a thigh injury that has also put his World Cup participation with Japan in slight doubt.

Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are also definitely out for the visitors, while Mats Wieffer will undergo a late fitness test, but Diego Gomez has been passed fit.

The means as many as 11 players could be absent at Elland Road across the two teams combined.

Farke’s injury issues are far from ideal, but he will still back his side to get the job done on home soil against a decent Brighton outfit.