By Gareth James

Wales will be without injured midfielder Eathan Ampadu for their autumn Nations League matches, but his Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has insisted his knee problem was feared much worse.

Ampadu is set to be sidelined for the rest of the year with knee ligament damage.

https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1840736267249795523

The 25-year-old was replaced just before half-time during Leeds’ Championship win over Coventry on Saturday after suffering an injury while challenging for a ball.

Leeds boss Farke said on Monday that Ampadu is now set to be out for the next few months, although he ruled out his captain needing an operation.

https://twitter.com/philblanche/status/1840729301051736405

Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: “It’s a serious knee injury, he has damaged his lateral ligament. But 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.

“You have to expect there will be injuries, have to hope for a little bit of luck. But Ethan is our captain, one of our most important players.

“He is a key piece for balance between defensive stability and offense. It’s a big blow he’s not available but you have to adapt to it.”

Massive blow for Wales regarding Ethan Ampadu.

However this presents a potentially huge opportunity for Oli Cooper too make a further impression on Craig Bellamy in midfield.

Clearly already impressed last campaign, his form for #Swans has been exceptional. pic.twitter.com/CQDQpqjoay

— Trystan (@trystanbending) September 30, 2024

The injury means Ampadu is set to miss over a dozen Championship games for promotion hopefuls Leeds and rules him out of Wales’ final Nations League matches against Turkey, Montenegro and Iceland in October and November.

Wales are currently second in Group B4 after two games, level on points with leaders Turkey and a point ahead of Iceland.

Devastating Ethan Ampadu blow, for Leeds United and Wales. Incredibly valued member of both teams. Need him back as quickly as possible. #LUFC #TogetherStronger

— Harri Burton (@Harri_Burton) September 30, 2024