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Fatawu, Vardy, Ayew – Leicester City injury latest ahead of Chelsea clash

Abdul Fatawu during Leicester City's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United
-Credit: (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)


Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew are major doubts for Leicester City’s Premier League clash with Chelsea after the pair suffered injuries on international duty.

While the severity of their problems is still to be determined and revealed, the signs are not great, at least not for involvement on Saturday lunchtime. Both players returned early from Ghana, with a scan showing Ayew has “significant issues with his knee” and with Fatawu since pictured wearing a brace on his right knee.

Speculation over an ACL tear for Fatawu seems unfounded though, with the 20-year-old seen bending his knee in a recent social media photo. Medical advice is to keep the leg straight before and after surgery in the event of an ACL tear.

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But with the winger wearing a brace, there will be concerns over his involvement when former manager Enzo Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium with Chelsea. An official update will be given by City boss Steve Cooper during his press conference on Thursday morning.

Fatawu and Ayew’s absences would be a blow, with City already running low on attacking players. Facundo Buonanotte, City’s star man at the top end so far this season, is suspended for the match after picking up a fifth booking of the campaign in the 3-0 loss to Manchester United before the international break.

Plus, talisman striker Jamie Vardy missed the game at Old Trafford with a back injury, with Cooper unable to put a timeline on his recovery. However, the captain is back in training and there are hopes that he will be able to play some part on Saturday.

In further good news, Patson Daka could be included in a matchday squad for the first time this season, having now had a few weeks of training following his summer ankle surgery. The Zambian could even be a contender to start if Ayew and Vardy are out.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid has also been pictured in training after a gash to his Achilles kept him out of City’s past two games. With Buonanotte and potentially Fatawu missing, the Jamaican could be a contender to start.

In Denmark, there had been doubts over Jannik Vestergaard ahead of their second game of the international break, but the centre-back was fine. He played 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Serbia on Monday night.

Along with Buonanotte, City’s only confirmed absentees will be right-back Ricardo Pereira, who is out for four months with a hamstring injury, and goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk. However, the Pole is making progress and could be available for selection again in the next few weeks.

If Ayew, Fatawu, Vardy, and Buonanotte are all out, who should play in City's front four on Saturday? Click HERE to have your say.