JibrinGary Rowett is keeping his fingers crossed that two influential Ghanaian internationals can return to fitness in time for Tuesday’s trip to Middlesbrough after both were shock omissions from the squad for the draw at Stoke.
Leicester City manager Rowett revealed the pair picked up problems on the final day before the trip to the Bet365 Stadium.
It was the first time this season that one of the club’s most dynamic attackers has missed a Championship fixture.
The winger was left out of the squad for the FA Cup tie at Southampton in a precautionary move around his knee, and looked set to return after training in midweek.
But he did not make the cut, Jeremy Monga starting in his place, while the absence of the experienced forward meant City had just one out-and-out striker in Patson Daka.
Rowett suggested both are carrying minor knocks, and so could be back in contention for Tuesday’s crucial clash at promotion-chasing Boro.
“The squad’s where it is, we’ve lost big, key players that make a huge difference,” Rowett said after Saturday’s 2-2 draw. “We lost two more yesterday, one in the middle of our last preparations, which doesn’t help. That’s Abdul and Jordan.
“It would be nice to get some of those back. I don’t know whether Abdul or Jordan will be back for Tuesday. Hopefully so. Fingers crossed.”
Victor Kristiansen also pulled up with an injury in the first half at Stoke, and if he and the unnamed duo don’t make it, City could have nine senior players out.
That’s with Jamaal Lascelles, Jannik Vestergaard, Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey, Hamza Choudhury and Harry Souttar also sidelined.
City will get one player back though, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid having now served his three-match suspension for his straight red card at Birmingham.
Jibrin
