INJURY BLOW FOR CITY MIDFIELDER
INJURED PRAET OUT FOR THREE MONTHS
LEICESTER City have been dealt a “huge blow” with midfielder Dennis Praet ruled out for up to three months with injury, writes Jordan Blackwell.
But manager Brendan Rodgers does have star full-back Ricardo Pereira back in contention for a Premier League for the first time since March.
Belgian international Praet pulled up in the final few minutes of Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Stoke, and scans have shown he has damaged a tendon in his hamstring.
He could now miss a dozen Premier League games and the next couple of rounds in the Europa League.
“Dennis will be (out for) up to three months we think, which is a huge blow for us,” said Rodgers at his press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Southampton.
“It was an awkward one, the ball just popped up and he overstretched. It was a tendon in the hamstring, which we need to ensure his recuperation is as good as possible.
“He’ll be out for a while which is not so good for us.”
However, beyond Praet, City have a clean bill of health, with Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, and Cengiz Under all fit to face the Saints, with Pereira set to be included in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time since a 4-0 win over Aston Villa, the final game before the first lockdown.
Vardy and Maddison were left out against Stoke to receive treatment on hip and knee niggles respectively, while
Under had a minor ankle complaint. Ricardo, meanwhile, is now ready for a second attempt at a comeback.
He picked up a groin injury on his initial return from cruciate ligament surgery, but is now available to be eased back in. “Both of those players (Vardy and Maddison) are available,” said Rodgers.
“It wasn’t so much a rest, they couldn’t play or if they did play, it would have been a huge risk for them.
“They have had ongoing issues over the course of the season and we saw that game as the window for them to get some medical work done with them. “That’s worked well for us and they have rejoined the group.
“Cengo should be back this weekend, which is great news, Ricky Pereira also, so that’s great for us as well.
“A bit like Cags, we have to get him (Ricardo) back step by step. He’s training with the team now and looking very good.
“We don’t need to rush it, especially with him having broken down before. He’s worked very hard with the medical team and has gone through all of the tests and measures to get out and he’s been training with the squad now for a little while.
“We are able to get him close to the squad now, and then step by step it’s getting him some gametime. But there’s no rush with him.”