talkSPORT broadcaster makes ‘significant’ Ethan Ampadu admission in Sunderland v Leeds United preview
Ian Danter believes the injury to Ethan Ampadu will be a “significant” blow for Leeds United ahead of the clash against Sunderland on Friday (4 October).
The 24-year-old missed the 1-1 draw against Norwich City on Tuesday [1 October] after he sustained a knee injury during the 3-0 win against Coventry City and is now expected to be out of action for up to 10 weeks [Yorkshire Evening Post] for the Whites.
Co-host Jermaine Pennant quizzed commentator and EFL expert Danter live on talkSPORT [3 October, 11:39pm] on how significant a miss Ampadu will be for Leeds in the coming weeks.
He said: “It’s a significant miss because he formed a really good partnership with Joe Rodon last year at the centre of defence for Leeds United.
“Now we thought of him as the defensive midfielder and he plays that way for his country, but at the back, for Leeds he’s been great.”
Leeds United will be without ‘significant’ Ethan Ampadu
Daniel Farke will need to become creative with his team selections in the coming weeks as Ampadu’s spell on the sidelines is the latest in a growing injury list at Leeds.
Pascal Strujik and Rodon are the only senior centre-backs available at Elland Road and, will be for the foreseeable future after Max Wober flew to his native Austria to undergo surgery [LAOLA1] and continue his rehabilitation.
While Ao Tanaka can fill the void left by Amapdu in defensive midfield, the impact of the Welsh international cannot be understated, he played a vital role in helping Leeds reach the Championship play-off final last term and is a vital cog in Farke’s side.
The Whites continued their poor record against their potential promotion rivals with the draw against Norwich City after suffering a 1-0 loss to Burnley and a 0-0 draw against West Brom earlier this season.
Sunderland are at the top of the Championship table after eight matches, Farke will bring a depleted Leeds side to the Stadium of Light desperately hoping to return to West Yorkshire with three points as they look to entrench themselves in the top-two conversation.
In other Leeds United news, a free agent signing is on the cards for the Whites as ‘horrible’ news emerges from Elland Road.
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