Concerning the Leicester City squad, the rearguard is essential and improved. Since grasping the managerial reins at City, Gary Rowett has orchestrated a series of unquestionable, palpable improvements to the defensive structure. Although, beneath this veneer of newfound resilience, a lingering anxiety persists. A profound suspicion remains that, when confronted by the precise, punishing calibre of the wrong opposition, this cautiously assembled backline might simply collapse like a veritable house of cards.
​The current defensive conundrum is perhaps best encapsulated by the curious exile of Ben Nelson. The talented centre half currently languishes in the proverbial doghouse, caught in the crossfire of remarkably mixed messaging and shifting appraisals from his gaffer.
First came the sharp sting of public criticism, swiftly followed by his unceremonious demotion from the starting eleven. Bizarrely, this was then succeeded by Rowett's sweeping admission that Nelson remains a truly wonderful player. A dizzyingly contradictory and typically bureaucratic managerial assessment that leaves astute observers thoroughly knowing: Rowett doesn't rate Nelson that highly!
​In the academy product's stead, a newly forged alliance of Caleb Okoli and Jamaal Lascelles has been tasked with fortifying the barricades. Yet, this pairing may prove entirely fleeting, for both men harbour a latent propensity for the (atrocious) unforced error.
Hopefully this rather critical writer's prevailing impression of the latter (viewing Lascelles's approach as akin to a ticking time bomb waiting to detonate at the worst possible moment) proves utterly mistaken. Though doubtful with LCFC's modern luck and design.
Leicester City injury news
Fortunately, a serendipitous and small amount of optimism has arrived ahead of the looming fixture against Preston North End. The latest fitness bulletin offers options: the towering Jannik Vestergaard will likely be ready for selection.
"Jannik Vestergaard may be back fit, but it would be a surprise if he was to replace either Caleb Okoli or Jamaal Lascelles in the back-line "LCFC Live
The imposing defender is unlikely to anchor the defence from the opening whistle. Nevertheless, the sudden restoration of supposed international quality is undeniably vital to sustaining King Power team's survival aim.