Leeds United have had the best start they could wish for this season.
Daniel Farke has his team in second place after 13 games in the Championship. Leeds are the third best attack and third best defense in the league; they have also created the most big chances this season.
This is the best start Leeds fans could dream of after losing key players in the summer. Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter all left after Leeds failed to win promotion to the Premier League.
QUIZ: Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Leeds United handed major boost
Daniel Farke will have more to smile about as midfielder Ethan Ampadu is ahead of schedule on his road to recovery. The welsh international suffered a nasty injury that has kept him out since September. His injury even lead Daniel Farke to push the club to find midfield depth, which is why they signed Josuha Guilavogui on a free transfer.
Farke gave an update on Ampadu’s status ahead of the midweek games:
“He’s working hard, already doing some running,” Farke said to Yorkshire Evening Post.
“It will be a while before he can join us in team training, he’s even a bit ahead of schedule. I’m carefully optimistic he can return to team training a bit earlier. We will see. Normally it would be realistic to be back in training in the middle of December and then available in the beginning of January. It would be nice if he can help us already a bit earlier and sooner because he’s our captain and a versatile player.
“We would love to have him back but we won’t rush it. It was a serious injury.”
Ampadu return huge boost for Daniel Farke
The Welsh midfielder had been out since September with a ligament injury. Ampadu was one of Leeds’ best performers last season and even became one of the leaders in the team.
His return will be very much welcomed at this stage of the season, with the upcoming fixtures during the festive period. Ampadu’s return will allow Farke to rotate Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka who have done an outstanding job in the middle of the park.
It’s more positive news for the Whites, as Illia Gruev is walking without his crutches after his major injury at the start of the season.