How Ampadu’s injury could affect Leeds’ promotion push

With Leeds United’s dramatic wins over Sunderland and Sheffield United giving them a 7-point cushion to third-place Burnley, it could be forgiven for some of Leeds’ supporters to think that their club already has one foot back in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke’s side have been a relentless juggernaut lately, riding a 16-match unbeaten run in the league dating back to early December. However, with another recent injury to captain Ethan Ampadu, the Whites could be left short, particularly in the centre-back positions, in the coming weeks.

Speaking on Ampadu’s injury in the pre-match press conference before Leeds’ game against West Brom on Saturday, Farke said:

“A knee injury, he’s got a cartilage injury, bit of a complicated situation a surgery would have meant he would be out for the season,

“We have, after more consultations, decided to try to go the conservative route. I think there is a good chance that if the rehab programme works properly, this will be successful, but it still means he is out for definitely a few weeks; normally, you would expect him to be out for 4-6 weeks.”

This means United will be without their captain at least until the international break in mid-March, with Farke even admitting the conservative approach to Ampadu’s rehab gives him a “50-50” chance of being involved in the run-in.

Cause for concern?

Along with Ampadu, Max Wober’s injury troubles also continue, with Farke confirming the Austrian defender remains sidelined until after the international break.

Between now and then, Leeds play another four matches, and any injury to Pascal Struijk or Joe Rodon would heavily unsettle a defence that has kept 6 clean sheets in their last 8 league matches.

Farke acknowledged this possibility and shared who he feels could be potential options at centre back if required.

“We have Josuha Guilavogui, who has played this position before for his former clubs and for us in a cup game, so he’s definitely an option. Sam Byram is an option. Ilia Gruev has played for Bulgaria in the centre-back role, not naturally, but there’s James Debayo anyway,

“It depends on the situation what you need, if you need a bit more pace in the last role or perhaps a strong header or perhaps a player whose strength is in the quality of the build-up,” Farke said.

Despite the Whites having various makeshift options in defence if needed, it’s fair to say that Guilavogui, Byram or Gruev starting a long run of games at centre-back would hinder United’s defence as we enter the business end of the season, particularly when you consider how well Struijk and Rodon have performed together this season.

Guilavogui has looked miles off the pace when he has started in the cup for Leeds, Byram could be a solid makeshift, but his injury record means it would be a case of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ he got injured and whilst Ilia Gruev would be good on the ball, he lacks the physical presence to play in the centre of defence for a run of games.

United have proved on many occasions this season that they are, without a doubt, the best team in the Championship; however, an injury to Rodon or Struijk could mean the final 12 games aren’t as smooth sailing as we all thought they would be.