Daniel Farke has been speaking on Thursday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime trip to QPR in what is the final game before the March international break.
Leeds currently sit in first place, two points clear of Sheffield United after The Whites took advantage of their promotion rivals dropping points by beating Millwall at Elland Road on Wednesday, winning 2-0.
An own goal early on was followed by Ao Tanaka’s super strike, but it is fair to say it was not a vintage Leeds display and The Whites have not been their best selves ever since Ethan Ampadu was ruled out.
The win over Sheffield United was decided thanks to three moments of magic from Junior Firpo, Tanaka and Joel Piroe. Then, one point from the next two games followed by a stuttering win over Millwall.
Daniel Farke delivers Ethan Ampadu return date after knee injury
The skipper has missed the last four games and recently, Farke said Ampadu would only be 50-50 for the run-in. However, Farke has now given a new update on the player he signed from Chelsea in 2023.
Farke says that Ampadu is already out on the grass in football boots, rather than running trainers. He says that he is undergoing rehab and Leeds could call on the midfielder for the final five or six games.
“It looks good, he is doing some rehab workon the pitch. In football boots, not just running. We have hope on the other side of the international break he will join us in team training,” Farke said on Ampadu.
“Then will see how long he needs to get match sharp. Ethan doesn’t need too many sessions. He could be there for the last five or six games, it would be a major boost if we get our captain back,” he continued.
Which games could Ethan Ampadu play in after March break?
The visit to QPR is the ninth-last game for Leeds with The Whites desperate to avoid what happened last season at Loftus Road. Any hope of an automatic promotion place ended when Leeds were beaten 4-0.
Leeds will be desperate to avoid such a result and having Ampadu available would have given Leeds the edge. But, the Wales star will be missing – but, Farke’s update comes as good news ahead of the run-in.
The Leeds games Ampadu could play in if fit for last six games:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
| April 8 | Middlesbrough | Riverside |
| April 12 | Preston | Elland Road |
| April 18 | Oxford | Kassam Stadium |
| April 21 | Stoke | Elland Road |
| April 26 | Bristol City | Elland Road |
| May 3 | Plymouth | Home Park |
What is beneficial, is that Leeds face QPR, Swansea and then Luton – with Leeds probably not requiring Ampadu’s help to win against struggling Swansea or Luton. The next game is Middlesbrough on April 8.
That will be a whole lot harder and is arguably the toughest remaining game before the end of the season other than Bristol City, albeit that is at Elland Road. Having him fit from April 8 would be helpful.
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