Ethan Ampadu injury blow for Leeds

Leeds have been dealt an injury blow as captain Ethan Ampadu has been ruled out until at least after the international break.

Head coach Daniel Farke confirmed Ampadu has damaged a medial collateral ligament in a knee and will miss Saturday’s Premier League game at Arsenal and the following two matches.

Ampadu was outstanding in Leeds’ opening win against Everton at Elland Road on Monday before being hurt in a second-half challenge from Tim Iroegbunam, which later forced the Wales midfielder off.

Farke said: “It’s bad news with him sadly. The next (few) games we have to play without him.

“MCL injury, he will definitely be out until at least the international break. I hope to have him back the other side of the international break. He’s pretty quick after injury back on the training pitch.

“He’s a tough boy. It’s a blow for us, we will miss him in the upcoming games at least and the two upcoming Premier League games and the cup game.”

After this weekend’s trip to the capital, Leeds play at Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and then face Newcastle at Elland Road a week on Saturday.

Farke said Switzerland winger Noah Okafor is in contention for his Leeds debut at the Emirates Stadium after completing his move from AC Milan earlier on Thursday for a fee which could rise to £18million.

Okafor, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Serie A champions Napoli, is Leeds’ ninth summer signing following promotion to the Premier League.

Farke added: “He has really good pace, he’s a really good dribbler, really good on the offensive one-on-one.

“A strong player as well. I don’t want to pressure him too much because he’s not played one game, so I’ll let him deliver before, but from his skills, he has more or less everything to impress, and it’s up to him.”

Okafor’s arrival is expected to end Leeds’ interest in Tottenham winger Manor Solomon, who played a starring role for Daniel Farke’s Championship-winning side on loan last season.

Leeds have now spent around £92million in total on new players since ending their two-year top-flight absence.

Farke, who also wants to add a full-back to his squad, said he was still hoping to further boost his attacking options before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Okafor, who began his professional career at Basel, scored 34 goals and made 23 assists in 110 appearances for Salzburg before joining AC Milan in a £13.4m deal in July 2023.

He scored seven goals and made five assists in two seasons at the Serie A club, which included his four-month loan spell at Napoli, and has 24 caps for Switzerland.