Leeds United: Coventry City evidence should ease Daniel Farke's Ethan Ampadu blow - View | OneFootball

Leeds United are set to be without Ethan Ampadu for some time, but Ao Tanaka impressed after replacing the skipper against Coventry City

Leeds United were left to fear the worst when Ethan Ampadu was hauled off during the first-half of Saturday afternoon's 3-0 win over Coventry City, although Ao Tanaka replaced him admirably and may just ease lingering concern about how they can adjust to life in his absence.

The Whites romped to a routine victory at Elland Road, as goals from Willy Gnonto, Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe saw off Coventry with ease. It came as Leeds' fourth win from their last five matches, with a 1-0 home defeat to promotion rivals Burnley providing the exception.

However, Leeds are now beginning to underline their promotion credentials with the dominant nature in which they are ramping up the wins. When Farke's side get going, it is difficult to lay so much as a glove on them, and they have showed as much by keeping clean sheets in all four of their victories so far this season.

Unfortunately, though, what should have simply gone down as yet another impressive and unchallenged victory was instead soured as Ampadu was hauled off just before the interval, provoking understandable worry among all concerned.

The worst fears pertaining to Ampadu were confirmed by Farke on Monday afternoon during his pre-Norwich City press conference, although it should not be forgotten just how bright Ao Tanaka was after replacing the Leeds skipper against Coventry.

Daniel Farke provides critical Ethan Ampadu injury update

Speaking ahead of his side's Tuesday evening trip to Carrow Road, Farke was the bearer of bad news and confirmed that Ampadu is set for a prolonged period of absence with a lateral knee ligament injury, which will put him out of action for 10 weeks at the very least.

"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," said Farke.

"It could be a few days more or less depending on the rehab. At the moment we expect him to be back in training at some point in December but he will need a bit of team training before he's available.

"We expect him to be back [playing] at some point in January."

It is a big blow indeed. Ampadu, who was handed the captain's armband following Liam Cooper's departure in the summer, has proven himself to be all-but indispensable to Farke's side ever since arriving from Chelsea. No outfield player across the Championship racked up more league minutes than his 4,138 in the previous campaign, where he started all 46 matches as Leeds reached the play-off final.

The 54-cap Wales international exerts a sense of calmness and composure into Leeds' midfield, allowing them to dominate possession and dictate the flow of the game in the middle of the park.

Just as capable of operating multiple steps ahead of his counterparts while in possession as he is at breaking up play when needed, Ampadu is integral to the way in which Farke deploys his sides and Leeds will have a different dynamic in his absence, although it may just hand Tanaka the opportunity to show his worth in West Yorkshire.

Ao Tanaka can ease Leeds United's Ethan Ampadu injury blow

Directly emulating Ampadu's influence is a tall order and an unrealistic expectation to have of Tanaka, who joined during the summer from Bundesliga.2 outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf for a reported fee in the region of €3.5m (£2.9m).

The Japan international midfielder had to wait patiently in the wings for regular chances, having played nine minutes across his first three matches after appearing as a substitute before receiving his longest block of minutes after replacing Ampadu against the Sky Blues.

He slotted in rather seamlessly, it must be said. Tanaka did not get dispossessed once in the 49 minutes he spent on the pitch, exhibited real coolness in possession and picked out Gnonto with a great pass to set up Piroe for the strike which put the game beyond doubt.

The Elland Road faithful were left purring afterwards over Tanaka, who has already endeared himself to supporters and will surely receive ample opportunity to do so on a more consistent basis from here on in.

He has clear pedigree and undoubted class on the ball, which should give Leeds a good shot at feeling the ramifications of Ampadu's absence to a lesser degree than fans are fearing, even if he will be a big miss either way.