Why Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu is missing for RB Leipzig as transfer target Timo Werner starts

The young Wales international has not been named in Julian Nagelsmann's squad for the game against Hertha Berlin

Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu is out of the RB Leipzig squad that plays host to Hertha Berlin this evening, while their leading scorer and Blues transfer target Timo Werner leads the line for Julian Nagelsmann's side as they seek to strengthen their grip on the Champions League places.

Ampadu, the Wales international who has spent the campaign on loan at Leipzig, remains absent with a back issue that has troubled him since February.

Football.london has been told that the teenager is continuing to suffer with growing pains, as previously mentioned by his national team manager Ryan Giggs.

Chelsea fans should still hold plenty of interest in this evening's game, however, as Werner looks to follow up his hat-trick in the 5-0 win away to Mainz on Sunday afternoon.

There is also an extra onus on the 24-year-old to perform with striker Yussuf Poulsen out through an ankle injury.

Another player tipped to arrive in the Premier League and is being tracked by Arsenal, Dayot Upamecano, starts in the middle of defence for Nagelsmann's team.

A win for Leipzig over mid-table Hertha, who have had 48 hours rest having last played on Friday night, would see them return to second place, above Borussia Dortmund on goal difference, and most crucially four points clear of fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen with six rounds of fixtures remaining.

Home teams have won just three of the 22 games since the German top-flight resumed 11 days ago, indicating that empty stadiums is having a significant impact.

Leipzig have won all but one of the league meetings between the two sides.