JibrinGary Rowett is planning adjustments across the Leicester City starting eleven this week after recognizing that the squad struggles to sustain their intensity for three fixtures in a seven-day period.
Rowett admitted he typically favours consistency over rotation, opting for a settled lineup, but acknowledges that he must make alterations at City to prevent a dip in performance levels.
The manager felt his players looked jaded during the defeat to Norwich in his first home outing, drained by the two away trips to Stoke and Middlesbrough in the preceding week.
With City preparing to welcome Bristol City on Tuesday evening for the second fixture of another demanding three-match week, Rowett suggested changes are on the horizon.
Discussing the condition of captain Ricardo Pereira, who was regularly rested for midweek games under former boss Marti Cifuentes, Rowett said: “I spoke with Ric before the Middlesbrough game. I was aware of that. He wanted to put himself out there.
“All of the players against Norwich, we just didn’t quite have that energy on the back of a big week and two away games.
“That’s something I have learned about the squad, that maybe we struggle to go three games in a week with the same team.
“I don’t like changing a team but maybe I have to get the energy and to get what we need out of a game.
“Ric’s an experienced player, he’s our captain, he’s so important to us, but it’s the same with anybody: can we go with the same energy? We’ll make those decisions along the way.
“I like the fact people want to put themselves out there. I think that’s really important.”
Rowett has previously indicated he may opt for a more attacking setup in home fixtures, meaning Jordan James and Divine Mukasa are strong candidates to be drafted into the side for the clash with Bristol City.
And while Rowett is not usually inclined to tinker with his backline, he may shuffle things there too after City’s streak without a Championship clean sheet extended to 30 matches. Jamaal Lascelles could be handed a start on Tuesday evening.
Rowett said: “When you’re in this position and you haven’t kept a clean sheet for a while, you’re looking at those experienced centre-halves being available.
“You’re looking at whether we need to tweak one or two things, because we can’t wait. We have to go and get clean sheets.
“But I thought the defenders defended really well (at Ipswich). Luke (Thomas) was on a yellow card early and defended brilliantly. I thought the two centre-halves were fantastic. Ric had his hands full with two players on that side at times. But I thought they defended diligently.
“It’s an area that ideally you want to keep the same but I think we’re going to have to make some changes in all parts of the team to get the results we want.”
Predicted City line-up (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Choudhury, Lascelles, Nelson, Thomas; Winks, Skipp; Fatawu, Mukasa, James; Daka.
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