MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Abdul Fatawu of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Leicester City FC at Old Trafford on November 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Leicester City have been dealt a big blow ahead of their meeting with Chelsea this weekend.
Leicester City host Chelsea in 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday, November 23rd.
The Foxes head into the game on a dire run of form that sees them sat 15th in the Premier League table and just three points from safety.
Former manager Enzo Maresca, on the other hand, has guided Chelsea up to third in the division and has the Blues playing some exciting, attacking football.
In turn, a very tough meeting is expected when the Italian returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time this weekend.
Leicester have a number of injury concerns going into the game including winger, Abdul Fatawu.
Abdul Fatawu of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Leicester City FC at Old Trafford on November 10, 2…
Jamie Vardy and more Leicester City stars react to Abdul Fatawu injury
Jordan Ayew and Fatawu picked up injuries on international duty with Ghana during the November break.
The full extent of the former’s injury is not yet known and we will likely learn more when Steve Cooper conducts his pre-Chelsea press conference on Thursday.
As for Fatawu, he has now shared a rather concerning injury update via his official Instagram account and it does not look good.
The forward was pictured in a hospital bed after appearing to undergo surgery on his knee.
He wrote: “Alhamdulilai all glory be to Almighty Allah my Surgery was successful and I just want to tell you that I am okay and I am feeling good after the surgery I want to thank everyone for your best wishes.
A number of players have since taken to the comment section of the post to react to the blow.
Jamie Vardy simply sent two blue love-heart emojis, former Fox Callum Hudson-Odoi wrote: “Stay strong brother,” Kasey McAteer added: “Back stronger brother,” Ricardo Pereira stated: “One day at a time bro,” while Leicester’s official Instagram account added: “All with you, Abdul.
How Leicester City will replace Abdul Fatawu vs Chelsea
The Fatawu injury looks a serious one and with the winger now facing a spell out, Cooper must try and find a way to replace him in Leicester’s forward line.
Ayew would have been a good option but is also now likely out of action this weekend, at the very least.
Elsewhere, Bobby De Cordova-Reid has had injury issues of his own and has struggled for form since his summer transfer.
Stephy Mavididi is the most likely option to step up and form a front three alongside Vardy and Facundo Buonanotte.
But hardly-used McAteer could also see his minutes increase given Leicester’s now very limited options on the flanks.
