I'll protect Leeding man

FARKE WARY OF OVERWORKING SKIPPER AMPADU

- DAVID ANDERSON

DANIEL FARKE claims he needs to be careful managing Ethan Ampadu's game time because the Leeds skipper is so important to their promotion bid.

Ampadu missed 10 weeks of the campaign before Christmas when he damaged knee ligaments.

But the Wales international has been exceptional since his return.

The 24-year-old is equally good at centre-half or in midfield and Farke says he is trying to give him breathers ahead of tonight's promotion showdown with Sunderland at Elland Road.

"He's our key player," said the Leeds boss (right). "It's no coincidence that he's our captain, that last season he was more or less on the pitch for every second.