Leeds United dressing room insider reveals driving force behind Championship promotion push

Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has reiterated the Whites' promotion ambitions this season after their bright start to the campaign. Daniel Farke's side are on track to win promotion to the Premier League as they sit in the automatic promotion places heading into the festive period.

The Whites narrowly missed out on promotion back to the top flight after losing at Wembley in the Championship play-off final last season and Ampadu says that heartache is driving them on this season.

"Yeah massively," he told Sky Sports when asked about responding well after last season's disappointment. "As soon as the final whistle went at Wembley we obviously were all dejected and disappointed, coming back into the season we had a good chat amongst ourselves and we don't want to feel that again.

READ MORE: 'They try to provoke' - Inside Leeds United dressing room warning that set Deepdale tone

READ MORE: Leeds United bottle job mars familiar let down as old face re-emerges to force door open

"Hopefully we can go one step further and don't have to enjoy that occasion. That's our drive, that's our goal and ambition for this season."

Ampadu missed a large chunk of the campaign after suffering a serious knee injury, but has featured in their past two fixtures against Middlesbrough and Preston North End. Injury to fellow midfielder Ilia Gruev left Farke without an out and out holding midfielder, but Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have filled that void brilliantly.

"It was no surprise to us, we've seen day in, day out in training how good everyone is," Ampadu said. "We're confident in our squad no matter who plays. Whether that's for 90 minutes, nine minutes or 90 seconds, we've got a squad that's ready and hungry to give everything to achieve our goals.

"It was no surprise to us, we've seen day in, day out in training how good everyone is. We're confident in our squad no matter who plays. Whether that's for 90 minutes, nine minutes or 90 seconds, we've got a squad that's ready and hungry to give everything to achieve our goals."

When asked about squad depth and going one further than last season, the Leeds captain said: "Fingers crossed that's our aim. We've got full belief in everyone.

"It breeds confidence throughout the squad no matter what, no matter who can come in and play. It's a squad that's hungry and wants to achieve, no matter how long you play it's what we're going to strive for."