3 Ways Leicester can sort out their shambolic defence

3: Squad depth

The issue with waiting on the return of Evans and Justin, is that Leicester cannot afford to wait. They must solve their frailties now – especially if they are to give their injured players a smoother return to the squad.

The only other immediate change Leicester can do, is to make the most of the squad depth that they already have. Now, as said, the supply isn’t vast in the centre back position, but Leicester do have options if they want personnel change.

Right now, Leicester have one option in Daniel Amartey. Many fans have wanted Amartey to have an extended run in the team as he has often been the best of the three current centre backs. Ever since his impressive comeback against Man City last season, Amartey has always offered a valid option if Rodgers wanted to use him. The issue is that he seemingly just isn’t favoured by Rodgers like Soyuncu and Vestergaard are.

Amartey also isn’t at his strongest in a back two, so it wouldn’t just be a case of swapping him in for one of the centre halves, it would be a case of changing the system for his inclusion. Does Rodgers see him as worth that? So far, it wouldn’t seem so.

The other two options in the squad are a gamble. The first, predictably, is Filip Benkovic. I think it’s now that we need to come to terms with the fact that Benkovic probably won’t make it at City. He had a torrid time at Cardiff last year and wasn’t given as many minutes as he, or the fans, would have wanted during pre-season.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing is that, because we haven’t seen him play for Leicester, us fans can’t see what is holding him back. All that being said, Benkovic was handed a surprise lifeline by Rodgers when he was included in both Leicester’s Premier League, and Europa League squad.

Whether he is there to simply fill the numbers, or if he seriously faces a potential appearance – I would anticipate seeing him potentially start in either game against Lokomotiv Moscow – it is now or never for Benkovic, and what better time to emulate Soyuncu and succeed in a time that Leicester need him most.

And finally, we have young Ben Nelson. The 17-year-old has seriously impressed throughout his time in the Leicester academy, and now frequently captains his side in their Premier League 2 campaign. As an under-21 player, he can be used in all competitions for Leicester, even though he hasn’t been named in their squads.

Nelson is an option, and we’ve seen the jump that Luke Thomas has made from academy to first team, but in all honesty, I don’t see Nelson as a serious option for Leicester City at the moment. He endured a mixed pre-season, ending in a fairly poor showing in the second half to Villarreal. I can see Nelson as an option for the future, but just not now.

Leicester’s defence will improve as the season goes on, and you may well see all three of these options being utilised as Rodgers seeks to turn the fortunes of his side around. All in all, this is a massive month for the side, one that will shape the rest of the season. They need to sort this defence as soon as possible. Having many of his defenders out on international duty won’t help Rodgers, but he must play with the cards he has been dealt with.