Leicester City fell to a 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on the weekend, and their lead at the top of the Championship table is now cut to three points.
The table-toppers must return to winning ways on Tuesday, as they make the trip to the North East to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Enzo Maresca has a selection dilemma on his hands, as he contends with the injury to key figure Ricardo Pereira, who is sidelined through injury until after the international break.
Pereira’s absence was evident on the weekend, as the East Midlands club lacked a steely edge in the midfield.
So, Maresca must consider starting Hamza Choudhury in the number eight role to add more defensive solidity.
Enzo Maresca must turn to Hamza Choudhury
With Pereira out of Tuesday’s clash, Maresca should consider deploying Choudhury in his place, rather than in the inverted right-back role.
The 26-year-old has been performing well in that position, but City have still lacked a ball-winner in the middle.
Choudhury’s tackling ability and instinct to sniff out danger is perhaps second to none in the squad, averaging the same number of tackles (2.8) per 90 as the Portuguese dynamo, per WhoScored.
Therefore his presence in the midfield, partnered with Harry Winks and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, could solve Leicester’s defensive woes.
If they’re chasing a goal this evening and need added creativity, Maresca can call upon Turkish playmaker Yunus Akgun from the bench.
Leicester City need a reshuffle of personnel
With Choudhury’s inclusion in the midfield, City would need to reshuffle their personnel.
James Justin has operated mainly as a left-back this term but with Choudhury departing the inverted role on the right, the former Luton Town defender could move across to that position.
That would present Callum Doyle, a Manchester City loanee, an opportunity to regain his place in the starting line-up at left-back.
The 20-year-old was an ever-present figure in Maresca’s system earlier in the season before sustaining a knee injury which required surgery.
Since returning from the treatment table, Doyle has made four appearances in the Championship, all of which resulted in victory.
The 6ft 1 in defender would provide The Foxes with an additional aerial threat, which they’ve lacked in the absence of Jannik Vestergaard, who is currently serving a two-game suspension after picking up his 10th booking of the season against Leeds United.
Doyle, as a natural left-footer, would also allow City to play out from the back in different patterns, as Justin often cuts in onto his favoured right foot.