Ethan Ampadu is a serious doubt for Leeds United’s game against Norwich City on Tuesday night after injuring his knee in the win against Coventry City.
On Saturday, Ampadu, 23, looked to twist his knee and was forced to leave the field. This is not the first time the Wales star has suffered an injury this season; he was forced to leave against Burnley after a first-half tackle.
It prompted Ampadu to go, and he was replaced by new signing Ao Tanaka, who impressed alongside Ilia Gruev. Leeds is in the midst of a tough schedule, with Coventry the first of three games in six days.
The next game is away to Norwich on Tuesday night, which is a terrible trip for fans in the midst of the week. It gives Ampadu just 72 hours to heal from the injury and determine whether he would be able to play at Norwich.
Daniel Farke claimed Ampadu informed him the knock wasn’t too terrible after the game, but Ampadu’s desire to play and Leeds’ captain may have understated the severity of the Welshman’s injury.
Smyth believes Ampadu is unlikely to be fit to play for Norwich.
Losing Ampadu would be a setback. Ampadu, a team leader, has been instrumental in keeping Leeds’ defense steady, with the Whites keeping five clean sheets in their previous six games.
Speaking to The Square Ball, the Yorkshire Evening Post’s main Leeds reporter Graham Smyth stated he doubts Ampadu will be fit to play against Norwich after seeing how he limped off.
“Ampadu told Farke that he does not think it is awful. Farke is too cautious to be hopeful at this point. They are going to wait for it to be evaluated. Given the way he was moving, Tuesday seemed unlikely.”
Farke’s midfield options without Ampadu if unfit for Norwich
If Ampadu is unable to play for Norwich, Farke has additional options in the midfield thanks to Leeds’ summer transfer activity. Tanaka had a significant role in Leeds’ third goal against Coventry on Saturday.
Farke’s potential midfield combinations against Norwich:
- Gruev sitting, Tanaka as box-to-box
- Gruev sitting, Rothwell as box-to-box
- Gruev as a pivot, Tanaka and Aaronson as two no.8’s
- Gruev as a pivot, Tanaka and Rothwell as two no.8’s
The chances are, especially given his performance off the bench, that Japan’s Tanaka replaces Ampadu and Bulgaria’s Gruev becomes more defensive on Tuesday night.
Norwich are a formidable opponent, however they have lost Jonathan Rowe and Gabriel Sara compared to previous season. However, given that it is away from home, Farke may opt to pack the midfield and play conservatively.
