Foxes blow as Soyuncu out until new year
TURKISH DEFENDER WILL MISS ALL EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP MATCHES
INJURY-HIT Caglar Soyuncu is “so disappointed” that he will be powerless to help his Leicester City team-mates over the next few months.
The centre-back has been ruled out until the new year with a serious groin injury sustained on international duty with Turkey, meaning he will miss all of the Europa League group stage matches, and a fair portion of Premier League fixtures.
Soyuncu was in the stands at the King Power Stadium for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
After manager Brendan Rodgers revealed the length of his absence, describing it as “an absolute shame”, the defender himself reacted on social media.
“I’m so disappointed to leave my team alone for a while,” the 24-year-old said.
“I’ll do my best to get back on the field as soon as possible, even stronger than before. Thank you for your best wishes. See you soon.”
Unlike Soyuncu, Jamie Vardy does not have a long-term problem.
The talismanic striker has a calf issue and while he may miss the Europa League opener against Zorya Luhansk on Thursday, he could return against Arsenal next Sunday.
“Jamie will probably miss the European game but be okay for our next league game,” Rodgers said in the wake of the Villa loss.
“It’s just a recurrence of something he’s had over the past few years, even before I came in.
“He’s had some issues with his calves. This isn’t so serious but playing him would have risked a tear and we can’t really afford to do that.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be ready for our next league game.
“Soyuncu is more serious in terms of the muscle is right off the bone, so he could be out for three months, which is an absolute shame. He did it training with the Turkish national team.
“He’ll be a big miss and adds to the other boys who are out.”
City have further defensive injury problems with Daniel Amartey also facing a considerable spell on the sidelines because of a hamstring issue, leaving Rodgers with Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and Wes Morgan as his centre-half options.
In Soyuncu’s absence, Fofana stepped up well on his debut against Villa, earning rave reviews from the boss and from City supporters for his performance. As well as Soyuncu, left, and Amartey, City have midfielder Wilfred Ndidi out until around Christmas, and Portugal right-back Ricardo Pereira on the