Ethan Ampadu is expected to undergo knee surgery and is a major doubt for the start of Wales’ World Cup qualifying campaign at the end of March.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says his captain will miss their upcoming Championship games with a second serious leg injury of the season.

The 24-year-old was sidelined for 10 weeks after injuring his left knee against Coventry in September, and was forced to miss Monday’s 3-1 win at Sheffield United with a similar problem on his other leg.

“It’s probably a serious injury,” said Farke.

“It’s a different knee. It’s a bit too early to assess it but it looks like a cartilage injury and it’s pretty clear he will need to have surgery in the upcoming days.”

Ampadu, who plays both in defence and midfield, missed four matches of Wales’ autumn Nations League campaign and sat out 12 Leeds games.

He now faces missing crucial matches in Leeds’ title run-in, plus qualifiers at home against Kazakhstan on 22 March and in North Macedonia three days later for Craig Bellamy’s national team.

“It’s a bit too soon to give a time frame for how long he will be out for,” added Farke.

“It depends a bit on how it works, but he definitely won’t be available for the next upcoming games at least and it’s a big blow for us.

“What are the chances of two big injuries in one season after not missing a minute last season?”

Despite missing Monday’s top-of-the-table encounter at Bramall Lane, Ampadu took a full part in celebrating Leeds comeback victory which extended their Championship lead over Sheffield United to five points.

Farke’s side are now seven points clear of third-placed Burnley with 12 games to go in their bid to return to the Premier League after two seasons out of the top flight.

They host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, their only remaining game this season against a side currently in the top six.

After March’s opening two games, Wales’ next qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are in June when they host Liechtenstein before travelling to Belgium.

Their four remaining matches in Group J come at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Better news for Bellamy has been the form of Leeds’ Welsh winger Dan James.

The 27-year-old former Swansea City and Manchester United forward provided two assists as the Championship leaders scored three late goals to beat Sheffield United.

James has scored 10 goals for Leeds this season, including two in the 4-0 win at Watford on 11 February.

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