Enzo Maresca has revealed when he can expect Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi to return to action.
Wilfred Ndidi has played a pivotal role in Leicester’s assault towards promotion.
In his newly advanced role under Enzo Maresca, the Nigerian has made 21 appearances in the Championship, scoring twice and assisting five times.
The 27-year-old’s importance to the side has been felt since he suffered a serious muscle injury in the 2-0 victory over Cardiff City in December.
Leicester have since thrashed Huddersfield 4-1, lost against Coventry City and drew against Ipswich Town on Monday night.
Speaking after dropping points late on against the Tractor Boys, Ndidi offered supporters hope that he could be back playing next month.
An early return to action in February would have been well ahead of schedule with Maresca expecting him to be out till at least April.
Reacting to Ndidi’s comments, the Italian has cast doubt over his optimism and suggests his comeback won’t be as soon as the Nigerian hopes.
Enzo Maresca offers Wilfred Ndidi injury update
Many supporters will have hoped that the 27-year-old was right to be positive about his situation after making good progress since undergoing surgery, but Maresca soon quelled that optimism.
When asked about the “couple of weeks” time frame that Ndidi inferred, he said: “Hopefully! But I don’t think so. Hopefully he can be back in two weeks but I don’t think so.”
In an ideal world, the manager is proven wrong and the midfielder makes a miraculous return to action next month.
Of course, those comments now make that possibility look increasingly unlikely and Maresca has to face a lengthy spell without one of his pivotal players.
Ndidi wasn’t the only player who missed the draw against Ipswich. Abdul Fatawu served the first of his three-match ban, while the other three players; Harry Souttar, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka are all on international duty for the time being.
In midfield, however, is where the Italian has his biggest problem.
Enzo Maresca needs to get a midfielder through the door
Although they are restricted by FFP, signing a central midfielder in this window is imperative.
Long-term target Stefano Sensi has been given the green light to join the club but his move is being delayed as Inter Milan have two midfielders out following suspension.
Sensi would be an important signing because he can play as a number 8 or vacate Harry Winks’s position in the deep-lying role and allow the Englishman to have a rest.
The Foxes are also reportedly eyeing up Coventry City’s Callum O’Hare, who would be a huge upgrade on the departing Cesare Casadei.
That would be a tremendous signing if they can pull it off, but negotiating with a rival late on in the window seems like an impossible task.