Leicester City’s injury issues are set to significantly hamper the start of their 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
The Foxes are set to kick-off their new season against Tottenham Hotspur, with Steve Cooper’s side hoping to get off to a good start, despite what has been a fairly up-and-down pre-season.
Transfers have far from gone Leicester City’s way this summer, in particular with the ongoing hunt for attackers.
Matias Soule, Adam Hlozek and Wilfried Zaha are a few of the names that the Foxes have ambitiously targeted ahead of their return to the Premier League, however there have been complications with all deals and as a result have left them short up top.
Leicester City are almost facing an uphill struggle before the season has kicked off as a result, and it has been made even more difficult as a result of injuries to three key players ahead of the new season, with one player set for months on the sideline.
Leicester City key trio set for spell on the sidelines
At the press conference looking ahead of the season opener against Tottenham, Cooper was quizzed about the current injury situation.
Per Leicester Mercury: Cooper said: “Patson [Daka] is not great. He’s suffered quite a serious ankle injury. He’s had an operation and will be out for a few months.
“Vards has been injured since the second week of pre-season, he’s closer to return but will be a little while. It’s not great.
“Conor Coady will be out for a few more weeks with his hamstring.
“Vards is at the latter stages of rehab. With his experience, he understands his body and will have a big say in that process of returning.”
Both Daka and Jamie Vardy suffered injury during pre-season, and left options very scarce up top, with Tom Cannon being the only first-team striker in the side who is fit.
Leicester City striker issue could send ripples throughout the side
The Foxes are certainly in no position to be competing at Premier League, which is obviously a result of the notable injuries in their side, although better recruitment will have cushioned the blow.
Cannon is the only instantly recognised striker, however he was given limited time during pre-season, and Stephy Mavididi surprisingly came on for Daka when he sustained his injury, with Cooper leaving the English striker on the bench.
If Cooper follows suit in playing Mavididi at striker, there will understandably be very little hope of him providing a significant goal scoring impact with him being so out of position, which is made especially bizarre due to the fact that Cannon is sat unused on the bench.
The lack of a goalscorer at present can certainly hinder the motivation of the players and it will be very difficult to wade through what will be a difficult start, and the only way around it is the Foxes actively making a difference in the transfer window.