JibrinLeicester City find themselves gripped by a full-blown selection dilemma as they gear up for a daunting Tuesday night under the King Power lights. The Foxes are currently anxious over the fitness of around seven first-team players, leaving interim manager Andy King with a depleted squad at a pivotal stage of the English Football League Championship campaign.
Injuries
The latest setback came with the loss of vice-captain Hamza Choudhury, who was recently pictured leaving the stadium on crutches with a knee injury that looks set to sideline him for the foreseeable future.
The midfield ranks are particularly decimated, with star man Jordan James and creative Aaron Ramsey both out with hamstring problems that are unlikely to heal before March.
Adding to these technical absences is the physical unavailability of Harry Souttar, who is still recovering from an achilles issue. And the avoidable suspension of Bobby De Cordova-Reid following his dismissal at Birmingham City.
To complicate matters further, new signing Joe Aribo is barred from facing parent club Southampton in midweek, while Caleb Okoli is only just returning from his own suspension.
The timing could hardly be worse. However, Victor Kristiansen might be available for selection.
Typical Leicester City setup
The Saints, naturally, arrive in the East Midlands riding a strong unbeaten streak, contrasting sharply with an LCFC side struggling from three straight league defeats. With the home fans growing increasingly restless amid off-field financial issues and a six-point deduction, the pressure is on King to assemble a workable starting XI from the remnants of his squad.
The Jannik Vestergaard situation
City desperately need to halt their slide toward the relegation zone, but they must do so without their most influential defensive pillars and midfield engines. The defensive outlook worsened following news that Jannik Vestergaard is grappling with a persistent injury that has required surgical intervention to prevent long-term damage.
The decision to undergo a minor procedure means he is now a confirmed absentee for the upcoming fixtures:
Southampton (H): 10 February
Southampton (A): 14 February
Stoke City (A): 21 February
Middlesbrough (A): 24 February
Norwich (H): 28 February
Though the centre-back could potentially return for the trip to Ipswich Town on March 7, or more realistically, the home fixture against Bristol City on March 10. His comeback will depend on his recovery pace and fitness following the procedure.
Jibrin
