Latest Leicester City news as Enzo Maresca shares an update on the Foxes’ walking wounded ahead of the game against Watford this Saturday
Leicester City have come through the tougher periods of this gruelling Championship schedule having lost a host of first-team options to injury at various stages of the campaign. Now, though, as they prepare for the final third of the season, Enzo Maresca is slowly regathering the Foxes squad at its fullest strength.
January wasn’t particularly straightforward a month to negotiate; City lost Cesare Casadei during his loan spell, while a host of players went off to represent their respective countries at either AFCON or the Asian Cup. Failure to conduct any incoming business meant that, for a while, Maresca’s first-team options were pretty limited, but City appear to have broken the back of those issues.
Next, it’s a trip to Watford; the Hornets take on Southampton in their FA Cup fourth round replay on Tuesday night so Leicester have a few extra days of preparation on their hosts this weekend, as they look for another important away win in the space of a week. Here is a look at the injury list at Seagrave.
Jannik Vestergaard
Vestergaard, given a new lease of life under Maresca this term and a mainstay at the heart of defence alongside Wout Faes, required a substitution at half time in the 5-0 win over Stoke City on Saturday, complaining of a muscle problem. It remains to be seen how significant the concern is.
Possible return date: We will find out how Vestergaard’s week has gone when Maresca speaks with the press ahead of the trip to Watford this coming weekend.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Having helped Nigeria reach the semi-finals of AFCON, Iheanacho will spend the rest of this week – and the tournament – in host nation the Ivory Coast. Whether they progress to the final or not, the Super Eagles will play at the weekend as there is a third place playoff for the losing semi-finalists.
Possible return date: Iheanacho might be involved for the Sheffield Wednesday game on Tuesday 13 February, but if that’s considered too much of a long shot, he is more likely to be available for the hosting of Middlesbrough on Saturday 17th.
Wilfred Ndidi
The Nigerian was initially ruled out for up to three months in January with a serious muscle injury, potentially meaning he wouldn’t play again for City until early April. However, after a quick recovery from surgery, he’s optimistic about returning to action at some point this month.
What Ndidi has said: “The injury’s alright, I’m getting there. It’s two weeks post surgery. Hopefully in a couple of weeks, I’ll be back,” Asked if that was a couple of weeks until he was training or playing, he added: “A couple of weeks to play.”
Possible return date: We might see Ndidi between now and the Middlesbrough game, if his optimistic outlook bears fruit, although Maresca has since urged caution.
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