What Ethan Ampadu was doing as Leeds United limped to a point against QPR in promotion blow

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Leeds United’s pursuit of automatic promotion remains very much on course but it could have been a whole lot better, as The Whites failed to beat QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday.

QPR has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years. The London outfit have proved to be a bogey team for Leeds over the years, beating Daniel Farke’s side 4-0 last season end ending promotion hopes.

Marcelo Bielsa really struggled against QPR despite his iconic Leeds stint, clocking up three defeats in five games against Marti Cifuentes’ men. Leeds once again struggled, going 2-0 down in the first 30 minutes.

Goals from Koki Saito and Steve Cook handed QPR the lead, but Leeds came back – scoring goals through full-backs Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle. A good point given the circumstances, but still not a victory.

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Ethan Ampadu spotted at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon

Prior to the match, Daniel Farke said Ampadu could play in the last five or six matches. A big boost for The Whites, with Ampadu previously believed to be at 50-50 to play any kind of a part in the club’s run-in.

But Ampadu’s knee injury has not stopped the versatile ace being a part of the Leeds squad on a game day. Just before kick-off, Bryn Law said on LUTV that Ampadu was out warming up with the Leeds players.

“Ethan Ampadu, I can tell you, has travelled with the squad today. We saw Ethan out on the pitch with the players before the game, so his presence may still be felt – he’s around the group,” Law said on LUTV.

Leeds’ remaining fixtures with Ampadu hopeful of playing six

The international break is underway with Leeds’ international players set to jet off. Interestingly, Brenden Aaronson won’t be linking up with Mauricio Pochettino’s USA but Isaac Schmidt has been called up.

Ampadu of course, will not be joining Wales teammates Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and Dan James in the Craig Bellamy’s squad. Leeds have eight game after the break, firstly facing struggling Swansea and Luton.

Ampadu is aiming to feature in the last six games and that would see him take on the likes of Preston, Stoke and Bristol City before the final game of the season against Plymouth Argyle away from home.