City plunged into injury crisis ahead of showdown with Villa
SOYUNCU OUT, VARDY, EVANS, PRAET AND MORGAN
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Caglar Soyuncu
LEICESTER City have been plunged into another injury crisis with Jamie Vardy and a host of defenders among those potentially out of tomorrow night’s clash with Aston Villa.
Caglar Soyuncu, absent for Turkey’s three games over the international break, will definitely miss this weekend’s clash at the King Power Stadium with an upper leg injury.
The 24-year-old centre-half has undergone further scans to determine the length of his absence, but those sent over by the Turkish Football Federation leaves manager Brendan Rodgers certain he will play no part in the Midlands derby.
Wesley Fofana is set to deputise for Soyuncu in what would be the £32 million summer signing’s debut for City.
While there was an outbreak of Covid-19 cases in the France Under-21 squad, Rodgers says the teenager is fit to play, and that he has no qualms about fielding him against a side fresh off a 7-2 victory over champions Liverpool.
Alongside Fofana, it could be Jonny Evans or Wes Morgan, but there are doubts over both players.
Evans started three games in seven days for Northern Ireland, and was substituted at half-time in the last of those.
Rodgers said the 32-year-old has had abdominal pain, but he is hopeful that he will be fit in time for tomorrow’s fixture.
If not, skipper Morgan may have to come in for his first Premier League start of the campaign, although there are concerns over his long-standing back problem.
Dan ie Amartey, who had featured in the three games before the international break, is not available after hurting his hamstring in the 3-0 loss to West Ham.
“We think that Cags will most definitely be out with an abductor strain,” Rodgers said at his press conference yesterday.
“We’re just awaiting the scan from that. Jonny has come back with an abdominal pain so we’ll review that.
“Daniel Amartey is out with his hamstring for a number of weeks.
“The international break hasn’t been kind to us, with a number of players coming back as doubts.
“We definitely think Cags will be out for a number of weeks – because of the scans we got through from the Turkish Federaton – but until we get the final scans, that will determine the
length of time.
“(Fofana) is definitely available. He’s fit and fine. I’ve got no qualms about Wesley coming into play. He’s been playing in the early part of the season and he’s gone away and played with the French Under-21s.
“We’ve brought him because he’s a big talent and he’s ready to play now, even though he’s such a young player.
“We’ll see how Wes Morgan is, we’ll assess it over the next 24 hours.
“He’s had some issues with an issue he’s had for many years with his lower back, but we’re hoping if he’s required, he’ll be available to play.
“But we’re hopeful Jonny will be okay, and that will be a bonus for the team.
“We’re waiting to see what the scan reveals with him.”
Unfortunately, City’s problems don’t end there.
Star striker Vardy underwent a scan yesterday to determine the severity of an issue in his calf that he picked up in Thursday’s training session.
Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet is also doubtful with the knee problem that saw him miss the surprise loss to the Hammers.
“We’ve actually got a number out,” added Rodgers yesterday.
“We’ve got Vards, who has an issue around his calf, so he’ll have a scan on that.
“Dennis Praet has gone away and done some work with the Belgium team, and we’ll see how he is but he’ll be a doubt.
“Later on today we’ll get a better idea of the availability of the players.
“Whichever players come
into the team will give their best. We’ve seen that already with Papy Mendy coming in, he’s been outstanding since he’s come in.
“It’s unfortunate if some of these guys miss out, but it’s going to provide an opportunity for players to come in.”
Long-term injury absentees Ricardo Pereira and Wilfred Ndidi are still “way off it yet” but there is one small glimmer of hope with James Maddison.
He missed the West Ham game with a calf problem but will be in the squad that takes on Villa.
Rodgers said: “He’s been out with the rehab team, and joined in the training, so he’ll be available to play some part at the weekend, which is great news for us because he’s been hugely missed as he’s such a talented player for us.
“It’s just about getting his season going and hopefully he can stay injury-free now.”