Steve Cooper has had to make do without striker Patson Daka since the beginning of the season at Leicester City.
With Kelechi Iheanacho leaving upon the end of his contract in June and Jamie Vardy sustaining an injury in the first friendly of the summer, Patson Daka was a feature of pre-season.
Daka scored seven goals and provided five assists in 20 Championship matches to help Leicester to the title last season but looked set for a bigger role after the arrival of Steve Cooper in the summer.
However, the Zambian suffered an ankle injury in the final friendly of the summer against RC Lens that required surgery and he has been absent ever since.
Luckily, Vardy recovered ahead of schedule to return ready for the start of the season but Daka’s injury forced Leicester into a Deadline Day loan deal for Odsonne Edouard.
Steve Cooper admits he is unsure when Patson Daka will return for Leicester City
Vardy has been key for Leicester already this season and has netted twice, but at 37 needs his load managed somewhat.
Edouard is yet to show he is capable of stepping up to help carry the goalscoring burden – although it is early days – so Leicester fans will be keen for Daka to return as soon as possible.
Now, Cooper has offered an update on Daka where he admitted the player has returned to Seagrave but it could be a while before we see the striker return to action.
Cooper explained: “I’m not sure on the timeline. He’s definitely back on the grass but he’s nowhere near training with the team yet.
“He’s continuing his rehab well and the medical team are really happy with his progression. And he’s got a brilliant attitude to everything he does.
“He will be back as soon as his body and his injury allows him to.”
Leicester City in trouble if anything happens to Jamie Vardy
Vardy is a certified club legend at Leicester and is arguably the club’s best ever player for the longevity with which he has performed at the top level.
A Premier League winner and 100-club member, as well as FA Cup winner, Vardy will forever have a place in Leicester’s history books.
The veteran striker is continuing to add to his legacy and firing the Foxes to safety this season could go down as one of his greatest achievements.
However, it is difficult for Leicester fans not to worry about what would happen if anything were to happen to their talisman.
Edouard has only scored 18 goals in 98 Premier League appearances in his career so far, so the news that Daka is nowhere near a return is troubling.
Cooper will be keen to wrap Vardy in cotton wool and the striker is rarely injured but were anything to happen it would significantly decrease Leicester’s chances of staying in the top flight.