Leicester City have received an injury blow as talismanic striker Jamie Vardy could now miss the start of the season.
Steve Cooper watched on as his Leicester City side fell to their second consecutive pre-season defeat on Saturday, losing 1-0 to German club Augsburg.
This followed a defeat by the same scoreline just over a week prior against Palermo in what is a concerning couple of results with just two weeks to go until the start of the Premier League season.
Jamie Vardy has not featured since the first friendly of the summer against Villarreal, leaving Leicester fans’ concerns to grow regarding the fitness of the 37-year-old forward.
Now, an update has been provided on Vardy’s injury prognosis which could affect the future of another Leicester talent.
Jamie Vardy could miss the start of Leicester City season
Despite his age, Vardy is still a key figure at Leicester and scored 18 Championship goals last season as he fired the Foxes to the title.
Whilst there has been little in the way of updates regarding the former England international’s absence, it now looks as though Vardy could miss at least Leicester’s opening game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur on August 19.
That could also impact one of his team-mates, as his injury leaves Tom Cannon in the lurch having been expected to be allowed to leave on loan.
That is according to journalist Alan Nixon, who revealed via his Patreon: “Jamie Vardy’s injury is stopping Leicester City from sending Tom Cannon out on loan.
“Veteran Vardy could be missing for the start of the Foxes return to the Premier League and may miss the next three weeks.”
Nixon continues to say: “That leaves Cannon currently as one of only a couple of fit and available central strikers for Steve Cooper.
“Sheffield United and West Brom are keen and Norwich have joined the queue as Stoke drop out.
“But the Championship trio will have to wait until close to the end of the window for a decision before Cannon comes on to the market – if he does.”
Can Tom Cannon step up for Leicester in Vardy absence?
Having impressed whilst on loan at Preston in the 2022/23 season, Leicester swooped to sign Cannon from Everton last summer.
The 21-year-old struggled to recreate his Preston form, scoring just twice as he struggled to tie down a regular starting berth.
With the club’s step up to the Premier League, Cannon has been touted for a Championship loan move this season to find regular game time.
However, Vardy’s injury has thrown a curveball that could see the Irish forward stay at the King Power.
Former team-mate at Preston, Ben Whiteman, was full of praise for the striker after a scoring display against Blackpool, telling iFollow: “TC [Cannon], when you give him a chance, you know it’s going to be a goal. He was outstanding and thoroughly deserved his goal.”
On last season’s evidence, it would suggest Cannon is not ready to be the man trusted to replace Vardy in the early weeks of the season, but he will be keen to seize the opportunity to show Cooper he is capable of filling the void.