SHOCKING AS LUTON TOWN player is made player-coach as the .....

Liam Cooper has been captain at Elland Road for several years now, but has seen his on-pitch involvement take a back seat, which has therefore required others to step up.

Cooper is in his 10th and most likely final season at Leeds, and so will no doubt have been helping those who have taken the armband, which started with Pascal Struijk, until injury ruled out him out for three months and counting.

In Struijk’s absence, Ethan Ampadu has been the man tasked with the responsibility of captaining Leeds, despite only joining in the summer, and still only 23-years-old.

However, Ampadu has led by example all season and has played all but one minute of Leeds’ Championship campaign so far, and plays way beyond his age anyway.

That is reflected in the fact he is already set to win his 50th cap for Wales tonight, as Rob Page’s side move towards a new era without Gareth Bale, and soon, Aaron Ramsey.

Ampadu is one of those expected to take over as one of Wales’ key men in this new generation, and based on his performances at Leeds, he certainly has the ability to do so.

What’s more, Luton Town defender Tom Lockyer has even hailed Ampadu as a future captain of Wales on the latest episode of BBC’s Football Daily Podcast.

Luton’s Lockyer hails Leeds star Ampadu as future Wales captain

He said: “He will be captain [of Wales] one day. It is just a matter of when. It is mad to think he is just 23, when he first came in he had an aura of calmness around him on the pitch and in the changing rooms.

“He was never fazed by anything and I remember thinking back then, this guy can be real special. I am really pleased he has finally found a home at Leeds.

“They have really taken to him and looks like he’s really enjoying himself there. I honestly think the world is his oyster now and if he can stay fit, the only way is up.”

What Joe Rodon has said about Ampadu’s captaincy stint at Leeds

Ampadu has taken over the role seamlessly at Leeds and in matches where he has worn the armband, Daniel Farke’s side have dropped just two points.

Due to the youthfulness of Leeds’ squad, Joe Rodon believes Ampadu is a player who so many of his teammates look up to already, due to the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch.

He said: “I am going to big you up here. Since the boss has given him the armband he has stepped into it easy. A lot of the boys look up to him, and not just here, but at the national team as well.

“He’s growing each year and this season him playing none stop it’s only going to make him more comfortable and confident, and long may it continue.”