Leicester City find themselves in the grip of a full-blown selection crisis as they prepare for a daunting Tuesday night under the King Power lights. The Foxes are currently sweating over the availability of approximately seven first-team players, leaving interim manager Andy King with a threadbare squad at a critical juncture of the English Football League Championship campaign.
Injuries
The most recent blow was the loss of vice-captain Hamza Choudhury, who was recently pictured leaving the stadium on crutches with a knee injury that looks set to keep him out for the foreseeable future.
The midfield department is particularly ravaged, with star man Jordan James and the creative Aaron Ramsey both sidelined by hamstring issues that are unlikely to resolve before March.
Compounding these technical losses is the physical absence of Harry Souttar; he's still nursing an achilles problem. And the unnecessary suspension of Bobby De Cordova-Reid following his dismissal at Birmingham City.
To make matters worse, new arrival Joe Aribo is ineligible to face parent club Southampton in midweek. While Caleb Okoli is only just returning from a ban of his own.
The timing could hardly be worse. However, Victor Kristiansen could return.
Typical Leicester City set up
The Saints, naturally, arrive in the East Midlands on the back of a strong unbeaten run; contrasting sharply with an LCFC side reeling from three consecutive league defeats. With the home faithful growing increasingly restless amid off-field financial concerns and a six-point deduction, the pressure is on King to stitch together a functional starting XI from the remnants of his squad.
The Jannik Vestergaard situation
City desperately need to arrest their slide toward the bottom three, but they must do so without their most influential defensive anchors and midfield engines. The defensive outlook darkened further following news that Jannik Vestergaard is dealing with a persistent injury that has necessitated surgical intervention to prevent further long-term damage.
"Leicester City’s Jannik Vestergaard will be out for at least a month, according to Bold in Denmark."Sport Witness
The decision to undergo a minor procedure means he is now a confirmed absentee for the immediate schedule: The matches he's likely to miss:
Southampton (H): 10 February
Southampton (A): 14 February
Stoke City (A): February 21
Middlesbrough (A): February 24
Norwich (H): February 28
Though the centre back could make a comeback for the trip to Ipswich Town on March 7. Alternatively, and more realistically, the fixture on Filbert Way against Bristol City on March 10. Although this depends on his recovery speed and fitness levels following the procedure.