Cymru have been dealt a significant setback with the news that midfielder Ethan Ampadu will be sidelined for the remainder of the year due to a knee ligament injury.
Ampadu, aged 25, sustained the injury during Leeds United’s Championship victory over Coventry City on Saturday. He was substituted shortly before half-time following an incident while challenging for the ball.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke confirmed the extent of Ampadu’s injury on Monday, explaining that while the midfielder will be out for several months, surgery will not be required. Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Farke described the injury as “serious” but expressed optimism about Ampadu’s recovery.
“It’s a serious knee injury; he has damaged his lateral ligament,” Farke explained. “The doctors have recommended a conservative treatment, so he doesn’t need surgery. It’s difficult to predict exactly how long he will be out, but it’s realistic to expect about 10 weeks until he can return to team training. We expect him to be back playing again at some point in January.”
This injury means Ampadu is set to miss more than a dozen Championship matches for Leeds United, who are pushing for promotion. Additionally, the midfielder will be unavailable for Cymru’s crucial Nations League fixtures against Turkey, Montenegro, and Iceland in October and November.
Cymru currently sit second in their Nations League Group B4, level on points with leaders Turkey and just one point ahead of Iceland after two matches. Ampadu’s absence will be keenly felt as Cymru look to secure a strong finish in the group.
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