Farke on Ampadu's injury, Okafor and more possible signings 

Last Updated : 22-Aug-2025 by BBC Sport

Farke on Ampadu's injury, Okafor and more possible signings 

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • Farke confirmed Ethan Ampadu has suffered an MCL injury and will be out until at least the September international break but will be "hopefully back on the other side of the break".

  • On who can fill in for Ampadu, Farke said: "Anton Stach can play there and Ilia Gruev - he had a good pre-season. Ao Tanaka ca also play here too. Sean Longstaff. All interpretate the role quite differently."

  • Farke said it is "possible" new signing Noah Okafor will feature on Saturday: "He doesn't need three or four weeks to build up to a game. Let's see in the next few days and we will make a decision."

  • More on Okafor who joined from AC Milan earlier on Thursday: "He is a player of high potential and has pretty much all the skills. He can offer goals and assists, he has delivered a few for AC Milan and scored in the Champions League. He has really good pace and is a good dribbler. He is a strong player but I don't want to praise too much - I want to let him deliver."

  • On fellow new attacking signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin: "Every training session is important for him. He has some weeks off and has been training individually. Team training is really important. He makes a decent impression, already really integrated, is growing day-by-day. From a fitness point of view a great shape and he is a great character."

  • Asked if Leeds are targeting more signings before the end of the window, Farke offered: "I don't speak about names but we have spoken in the full-back position we might need an addition and also before that we would strengthen our offence before these two attacking signings and we will see if we still do. I would not rule out one or two more signings in the offence."

  • How will he approach the challenge of facing Arsenal? "We won't sell out our DNA and park the bus. If you just try to defend you have no chance to survive there. We will try to be there with many periods with the ball. Will try and create chances to scare them. There will be periods where we suffer and we have to be well structured."