Leeds United star suffers 'serious' injury ahead QPR and Millwall games that has Daniel Farke left surprised
Leeds United play Millwall and QPR in the space of four days in March
Leeds United will be without one of their key players for back-to-back games against Millwall and Queens Park Rangers in March. The London sides face the Championship leaders on March 12 with the Lions heading to Elland Road before the Whites head down to Loftus Road on March 15 in the final round of fixtures before the international break.
Millwall and QPR have outside chances of reaching the Championship play-offs but have ground to make up in the final their final 12 fixtures. The Lions are six points behind Blackburn Rovers in sixth while QPR are seven points adrift. A number of sides could still finish within the top six, with West Brom in fifth on the same points as Blackburn with eight sides seven points or fewer adrift as things stand.
Leeds are gunning for automatic promotion and a 3-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday night moved them seven points clear of third-placed Burnley. The Blades are in second, five points adrift of Daniel Farke’s side.
Leeds star facing lengthy lay-off
Ethan Ampadu was absent against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane after picking up an injury in training. Speaking after the game, Farke revealed the player is looking at surgery to rectify the issue.
The Wales international suffered a knee injury back in September that ruled him out for close to three months and he has now sustained the same injury - but to his other knee. Farke said: "It's probably a serious injury. It's a different knee. It's a bit too early to assess it but it looks like a cartilage injury and it's pretty clear he will need to have surgery in the upcoming days.”
Leeds play West Brom and Portsmouth before their fixtures with Millwall and QPR. The Lions have met Leeds twice already this season. They have come out of both of those games without conceding a goal as they won 1-0 at the Den in the Championship and recorded a 2-0 win over the Whites in the FA Cup. QPR have played the Whites once, losing 2-0 at Elland Road.
Farke left surprised by second Ampadu blow
Ampadu missed both of the league games with Millwall and QPR earlier in the season as those games were only played four days apart, with the fixture list repeating that quirk for the reverse games next month. Ampadu has faced Millwall twice in his career, winning twice and losing once. He has come up against QPR twice, winning once and losing once.
The midfielder played every minute for Leeds in the Championship last season. The fact he was ever-present last term has left Farke a bit surprised to see him suffer another serious injury.
"It's a bit too soon to give a time frame for how long he will be out for," added Farke. "It depends a bit on how it works, but he definitely won't be available for the next upcoming games at least and it's a big blow for us. What are the chances of two big injuries in one season after not missing a minute last season?"