Leeds United will be handed a huge boost as one of their key players is set to return to the first team.
The club started the season with Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev as the first choice pairing. However after 15 games, summer signings Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have found themselves as the first names on the team sheet.
Ampadu suffered a bad injury against Coventry City in September. The midfield hurt his knee and was taken off after just 41 minutes. Gruev also picked up a meniscus injury in the next game against Norwich. The midfielder underwent surgery and is out for the rest of the year.
This lead to Daniel Farke brining in Josuha Guilavogui as midfield depth midway through the season.
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Leeds United handed Ethan Ampadu injury boost
Credit: Imago Images
The last update on Leeds’ midfield duo was that Ampadu had returned to training on the grass. Gruev also stopped using his crutches. There is a possibility that Daniel Farke could welcome both players around January.
Ethan Ampadu has spoken to YEP about his recovery, and if he would return to first team action any time soon:
“It’s going well. Recovery can have its ups and downs, but I feel like it’s gone fairly well at the moment.”
“There’s a bit of time and a bit of healing that still needs to be left to be done but it’s going well, I am happy about it, I am quite positive about it so the sooner obviously for me personally the better. But obviously when it’s right.”
“I hope [to be back playing] as soon as possible. But I don’t want to rush it as well.
“I want to be playing, if I could, the Swansea game, but maybe it’s not right for my knee to do that so I just have to wait and see. I don’t really want to put a time schedule on it. As quick as possible, but when it’s right.”
This means Ampadu will not return before the end of the month.
Leeds could have key player return soon
Daniel Farke has done a good job with the team; Leeds sit in third place in the Championship, just two points behind the league leaders. With the club firmly in the race for promotion, the return of Ethan Ampadu could play a key part. The midfielder was one of the club’s best performers last year, and if Leeds want to stand a chance of winning the league this year, he needs to be available.
