Jamie Vardy will be “out for a while” due to injury, with Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca unable to provide a particular date for the striker’s rehabilitation.
Vardy missed City’s 3-1 loss against Leeds due to an injury sustained in the penultimate training session prior to the trip to Elland Road. It is known that the number nine has a groin problem.
The news came as a setback to City, since Vardy had been in terrific form recently. Despite missing over a month due to a knee injury, he had rapidly returned to form, scoring five goals in his past five games.
When asked how long City would be without Vardy, Maresca told BBC Radio Leicester: “I’m not sure. He’ll be out for a while. I’m not sure exactly how long.”
City do have alternative strikers to choose from, with Patson Daka starting at Leeds and Tom Cannon going on as a substitute. Kelechi Iheanacho is also present, though he was not included in the team at Elland Road. Maresca clarified that it was a result of “selection” rather than damage.
He hopes to be back in the squad for Tuesday night’s FA Cup last-16 match against Bournemouth. Maresca is anticipated to make changes with Championship promotion in mind, as well as a midweek tie.
Jannik Vestergaard will play despite being suspended at Leeds, with the Dane earning his 10th booking of the Championship season. Vestergaard had nine yellow cards in his first 17 games, but it took him 15 games to collect his tenth.
Suspensions do not carry over across competitions, thus Vestergaard will be ready to face Bournemouth in the FA Cup. He will then miss Championship games against QPR and Sunderland.
In the Championship, two City players must exercise caution. Harry Winks and Ricardo Pereira both have eight yellow cards, therefore they must avoid receiving more than one booking in the next three league games or face a two-game ban. After the 37th game of the season, the slate is completely clear.
In the FA Cup, two yellow cards before the quarter-finals result in a ban. Cannon is the only City player who has received a booking in the club’s two FA Cup games thus far.
