Leicester City manager, Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Callum Doyle will miss over 10 weeks due to injury, but he believes they have the players to cover.
Doyle came off at half time against Bristol City and the Foxes boss believed the injury would see him sidelined for many weeks.
With that being said, he may not have expected the lengthy diagnosis the loanee has now received.
The teenager joined Leicester from Manchester City over the summer and had gone on to become one of Maresca’s most important players.
As a left-footed centre-back, he suited the left-sided defender role in his system down to a tee.
With no other left-footed defenders at the club, it will be interesting to see how the manager copes without Doyle.
What has Enzo Maresca said about Callum Doyle?
Maresca had been very vocal about his appreciation for the defender prior to his injury.
Opening up about the injury, he said: “It will be between 12 and 16 weeks.
“I said in the press conference before Liverpool that he is the only player, being left-footed. We have been unlucky.”
Annoyingly, there isn’t a raft of depth in that position, compared to others in the squad.
Maresca compared his winger situation to his defence: “We have Wilfred and Cesare, Kiernan and Yunus, Jamie and Kele, Abdul, Macca, Stephy, Marc, many wingers, but in that position, he was the only one.
“We have been unlucky. We will try to find a solution. Against Liverpool, JJ did very well, the same against Bristol City. He could be a solution.”
James Justin was the first port of call after Doyle’s injury, and he appears to be the first choice.
The Italian coach was full of praise, adding: “He did a fantastic game. He did a game exactly the way we expected. We know him very well and what he can give us. We are happy with how he performed.
“At the same time, it was his first game after two months. We are happy because we have one more player who can help us.”
The Foxes will need to prepare for life without Doyle as he won’t be involved until the new year.