Leeds United team news v Sunderland: Ethan Ampadu doubtful
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has revealed that current captain Ethan Ampadu is a big doubt for the vital Championship match against Sunderland on April 9.
The Whites return to Elland Road having lost their first league game of 2024 last time out against Coventry, and Farke confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Welsh international has been struggling with an illness in the past 48 hours.
Ampadu has played in all 41 of Leeds’ Championship fixtures this season with the Whites locked firmly in a four-way battle for the two automatic promotion spots, and has been one of the side’s most consistent performers regardless of whether he starts in midfield or defence.
Farke maintains hope that the 23-year-old will be well enough to feature against Sunderland but said: “There’s a big question mark behind Ethan as he was not available to train yesterday or today. We have a short session tomorrow morning, so he needs to be available for that session in order to be in the mix.”
Ethan Ampadu doubt for Leeds United
It’s hard to imagine how Leeds will line up without Ampadu against Sunderland, because, frankly, that hasn’t been an issue whatsoever this season.
Starting the campaign in defensive midfield alongside one of Archie Gray, Glen Kamara or Ilia Gruev, Pascal Struijk’s season-ending injury saw the Welshman move into the backline, where he’s formed a rock-solid partnership with his international team-mate Joe Rodon.
With Kamara also battling illness and Gruev missing both Easter fixtures after the international break, Ampadu temporarily moved back into midfield against Watford, and as he did in that game, club captain Liam Cooper will likely slot into the defence alongside Rodon against the Black Cats.
Farke also confirmed in his press conference that no previously injured players are in line to return on 9 April and that Connor Roberts and Willy Gnonto are still a few days away from being able to complete a full 90 minutes.
Minus Ampadu, the German may be forced into further reshuffling of his side as the pressure and physicality of the run-in begin to bite. Can Leeds weather the storm?
In other Leeds United news, a contract update for star winger Crysencio Summerville has emerged in recent reports.
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