Those wins have left Leeds five points clear at the top of the division but Ampadu has warned that a test “no different” to Sheffield United and Sunderland now presents itself with Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off against fifth-placed West Brom.

United are planning to commemorate the life of Leslie Bray, the club’s oldest season ticket holder, who sadly passed away aged 99 recently. Leslie had held a season ticket for more than 50 years and went viral online last season.

As Smith alluded to, Leeds have enough depth to cope without Ampadu in midfield, where he arguably performs at the peak of his powers, but the captain also filled in seamlessly alongside his compatriot Rodon during Struijk's four-game absence at the turn of the year.