Steve Cooper is working with a reduced Leicester City squad currently as 12 of his players are away on international duty.
Leicester City began a crucial run of games with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth prior to the international break in a result that relieved some of the pressure that was mounting on Steve Cooper.
Next up for Leicester is a trip to fellow newly-promoted Southampton, before facing rivals Nottingham Forest and the other promoted club in Ipswich Town.
It is no understatement to say that this run of games will likely decide Cooper‘s fate as Leicester manager, as well as have a huge say on the Foxes’ survival chances.
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Therefore, Cooper will be hoping Leicester’s international contingent will return unscathed this week and he has received a real boost In that regard.
Victor Kristiansen returns to Leicester City early
Leicester have a trio of players representing Denmark this fortnight.
Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is acting as back-up to former Foxes stopper Kasper Schmeichel, whilst Jannik Vestergaard made his return from injury in the defeat against Spain.
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Victor Kristiansen also started that game up against Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and picked up a booking that means he is suspended for the game against Switzerland on Tuesday night.
That already meant he would be better rested going into the Southampton game, but Cooper has received a bigger boost as interim Denmark boss Lars Knudsen has decided to allow Kristiansen to leave the camp early.
Knudsen – who previously worked as a set-piece coach at Leicester – said: “They (Kristiansen and fellow suspended player Morten Hjulmand) travel home, get some rest and get ready for what awaits in their clubs.
“In a program where there are a lot of matches and pressure, I think it’s good for them to have a mental break once in a while.
“They probably have to deal with the physical, but mentally it’s really healthy to get a breather. It’s good for them to have a break.”
Kristiansen key for Leicester City under Cooper
Kristiansen has enjoyed a real career revival at Leicester since Cooper took over as manager in the summer.
Enzo Maresca decided he did not fancy the left-back last summer and sanctioned a season-long loan to Bologna, but the Dane has started every Premier League game since Cooper’s arrival.
The aggressive youngster will again be crucial against Southampton and is one quarter of a very settled back four.
Leicester earned a first league clean sheet of the season against Bournemouth last time out and Kristiansen will be key to their hopes of adding a second against the Saints.