Ampadu withdrawn from Wales squad after Dolberg cheap shot

For the second time this season, Ethan Ampadu has gone away for international duty and returned to with a knock. Last month, it was a knee injury that he sustained against Spain, now he’s dealing with the after-effects of Denmark’s Kasper Dolberg hip-checking him into the advertising hoardings in the dying moments of Friday’s 2-1 loss.

While Ampadu got Dolberg back for his cheap-shot, it would appear that the young Chelsea player is not quite 100 per cent. Alongside James Chester (whom he replaced halfway through that match) and Paul Dummett, he’s been withdrawn from the Wales squad ahead of their friendly against Albania on Tuesday.

The decision to send him home is extra annoying since Ampadu hasn’t quite managed to convince Sarri to give him any minutes since pre-season. The international break was Ampadu’s best chance for minutes outside of the Chelsea youth and reserves games, at least until he goes out on loan in January.

Last month’s knee injury took several weeks to overcome; hopefully that won’t be the case this time.