JibrinLeicester City team news v Stoke with key absentee from Gary Rowett’s first line-upHow Leicester City line up at the bet365 Stadium, with a notable attacking absence in the squad, and with Victor Kristiansen coming in for Luke Thomas at left-back.
Gary Rowett has named his first Leicester City starting eleven for this afternoon’s clash at Stoke, making just two alterations from the side’s last league outing.
The most notable absentee from the squad is a key creative force, with the Ghanaian attacker missing out despite returning to training this week following the knee issue that kept him sidelined for last weekend’s trip to Southampton.
In his place, 17-year-old Jeremy Monga is handed a start on the right wing at the bet365 Stadium. The other change sees Victor Kristiansen replace Luke Thomas at left-back.
There’s also no place in the squad for Jordan Ayew, meaning City’s list of unavailable players now stands at nine.
This leaves limited options in certain departments. At centre-back, Ben Nelson and Caleb Okoli start with Jamaal Lascelles still out.
They will play in front of Asmir Begovic, who is preferred to Jakub Stolarczyk in goal. Ricardo Pereira captains the team from right-back.
In midfield, Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp are selected as the deeper pairing, with Joe Aribo, eligible again after missing the clashes with Southampton, only on the bench.
Divine Mukasa plays in attacking midfield, with Monga on one flank and Stephy Mavididi on the other, and with Patson Daka leading the line.
With Ayew absent, Dujuan Richards or Silko Thomas will provide the striker cover should Daka need replacing during the game.
The absence of Abdul Fatawu – the £17m winger who has been a key creative outlet this season – represents a significant blow to Rowett’s options as his side bid to climb out of the relegation zone.
City (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ricardo, Okoli, Nelson, Kristiansen; Winks, Skipp; Monga, Mukasa, Mavididi; Daka.
Subs: Stolarczyk, Aluko, Gray, L Thomas, Aribo, Page, Marcal, Richards, S Thomas.
Jibrin
