Daniel Farke handed 17 Leeds United problems as nightmare Championship scenario emerges

If Leeds United are to remain firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion, they will have to find a way to win without Ethan Ampadu. The versatile Wales international has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a left knee ligament injury.

Although Whites boss Daniel Farke has ruled out Ampadu needing surgery, the knock the midfielder sustained in a strong challenge with Coventry City's Ben Sheaf means Ampadu is unlikely to play again this calendar year. Farke told the local press corps today: “It’s a serious knee injury, he has damaged his lateral ligament. The doctors have recommended a conservative treatment so he doesn’t need surgery.

“It’s difficult to predict how long he will be out but it’s realistic to speak about 10 weeks until he can return to team training. We expect him to be back (playing again) at some point in January.”

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United return to action tomorrow night when they travel to Norwich City. In Ampadu's absence, will centre back Pascal Struijk step up even more and show his leadership skills?

"Big step forward in his leadership skills and personality last season," said Farke. "During the whole season so far a key player and leader, fantastic performances. He could chip in with goals from penalties and set-pieces. It’s even more important that he delivers right now. I don’t expect him to do anything different than he’s done in recent weeks."

Not only will Ampadu miss Wales' final Nations League matches against Turkey, Montenegro and Iceland across the October and November international breaks, but the 24-year-old will also not participate in over a dozen league matches for United. Here are the Whites' fixtures for the remainder of the year

October

Norwich City (A)

Sunderland (A)

Sheffield United (H)

Watford (H)

Bristol City (A)

November

Plymouth Argyle (H)

Millwall (A)

Queens Park Rangers (H)

Swansea City (A)

Luton Town (H)

Blackburn Rovers (A)

December

Derby County (H)

Middlesbrough (H)

Preston North End (A)

Oxford United (H)

Stoke City (A)

Derby County (A)