Leeds United took a major hit when Ethan Ampadu was sidelined after an injury during the match against Coventry City on September 28. For Joe Rodon, Ampadu’s absence feels strange, as he’s accustomed to playing alongside the midfielder both at club level and with the Wales national team.

Leeds United narrowly avoided a major setback, as Ethan Ampadu’s injury was revealed to be to his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) rather than the more serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Had it been an ACL injury, Ampadu could have been out for the entire 2024-25 season, but the LCL damage offers hope for a much quicker return to action.

Ethan Ampadu is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the year, with reports indicating a possible return in early 2025. In the meantime, Leeds United will have to manage without their captain, but Ao Tanaka has stepped up to fill the void, making his first start for the club in last Tuesday’s match against Norwich City.

Joe Rodon commented on Ethan Ampadu’s injury, highlighting their strong partnership on the field. Since arriving at Leeds just over a year ago, the two have become nearly inseparable, emerging as pivotal players in a burgeoning Welsh presence in West Yorkshire. Having spent much of last season as defensive partners, Ampadu’s absence is keenly felt, not only in the Leeds squad but also within the national team camp.

“It’s weird because over the last year and a half, I’ve been with Ethan every step of the way,” Rodon told *The Independent*. “It’s a lot quieter not having him here, but I’m sure, with the strong person he is, he will recover quite quickly.

“He is the anchor of the team, the protection. He sniffs out danger and sees things that others don’t. He’s got tremendous ability with both feet and plays the ball exceptionally well. He has stepped into that leadership role seamlessly, and everyone knows what type of character he is.”

“He’s going to be a massive loss, but we have a squad, and with the coaching staff we have, everyone knows their roles. If one player misses out, another steps in,” Rodon added.

It will be intriguing to see how both Leeds and Wales cope with Ampadu’s absence, especially Leeds, who have chosen not to sign a free agent and instead plan to cover that loss internally from within their existing squad.