Leicester City are facing a major problem as they gear up for a return to action later this week.
Leicester City host Chelsea in a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday and are in desperate need of three points.
The Foxes lost to Manchester United in their last match before the international break and are now in danger of slipping back into the bottom three.
The Midlands out are only three points above the relegation zone with the same goal difference as 18th-place Crystal Palace.
As a result, a win, or at the very least, a draw, is needed when Leicester welcome Enzo Maresca back to the King Power Stadium.
However, Chelsea are third in the Premier League table right now and will prove a stern test for Steve Cooper and co.
The challenge of beating a high-flying Chelsea has been made even more difficult over the international break.
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Leicester City dealt major blow before Chelsea
Leicester were already struggling somewhat on the goal front and now face the prospect of taking on Chelsea with a depleted forward line.
It was confirmed on Sunday that Leicester duo Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu both sustained injuries while playing for Ghana over the November break.
Ayew has stepped up on the foal front in recent weeks and Fatawu has also shone at times but both are now doubts for the weekend.
Ayew’s issue looks especially serious, with it revealed the striker has ‘significant issues with his knee’.
No timeframe has been given on the former Palace man’s return just yet but the update suggests he could be out for a significant period.
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Steve Cooper will regret letting Tom Cannon leave Leicester City
In turn, Leicester look set to have very limited options in their forward line in the coming weeks.
However, that issue could have been very easily avoided if Cooper had not let Tom Cannon leave on loan.
The 21-year-old has had a great start to life at Stoke City, scoring six and assisting one in 11 Championship outings.
Cannon was labelled ‘sensational’ last month and could have been a great replacement for Ayew while he is out.
But Leicester must now wait until at least January before they can recall the centre-forward, with Cooper’s decision to let him leave now looking like a serious blunder.