In the high-stakes theatre of the EFL Championship, the appointment of Gary Rowett as the custodian of Leicester City's survival hopes appears a remarkably prudent manoeuvre. Known for a steel-edged brand of football, Rowett arrives on Filbert Way as a specialist in stabilising turbulent ships. His tactical blueprint is typically defined by defensive solidity, solidarity and a disciplined mid-block. Precisely the medicine prescribed for an LCFC side currently languishing in the doldrums of the relegation zone.
This is a homecoming of sorts for the former right back whose no-nonsense but nuanced approach as a player has evolved into a managerial style that prioritizes structure over sentiment. However, the fallacious 'new manager bounce' is rarely achieved through tactical acumen alone. That often cited phenomenon requires a modicum of good fortune regarding squad availability. On this front, Rowett has been dealt a singularly cruel hand.
Leicester City's injury woes
Far from inheriting a clean slate, Rowett has arrived to find a treatment room so heavily populated it resembles a field hospital. The inundation of convalescent Foxes has reached a critical mass, stripping the squad of its veteran core and its most potent attacking threats.
"I think we’ve got two fit centre-halves, one fit left-back and clearly we need a bit of fortune to get through some of these games before players come back."Gary Rowett - Hayters
This is no mere selection headache: the East Midlands team is approaching a full-blown fitness crisis that threatens to undermine the 51-year-old's apparently systemic overhaul before it has truly begun.
​To overcome such a daunting hurdle, Rowett must pivot toward the exuberance of youth.
Turn to youth?
With the 'magic wand' of the transfer market unavailable, the integration of academy prospects like Jeremy Monga and Bade Aluko is not just a choice - but a necessity. Along with exceptional loanee Divine Mukasa; who already found the net and assisted under Rowett's brief tenure.
​The casualty list is sobering: Ghanaian duo Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew are sidelined with respective issues. As usual, they are joined by the Danish left back Victor Kristiansen, who limped off against Stoke.
"To make matters worse winger Abdul Fatawu is managing his knee, while Jordan Ayew missed out against Stoke. Rowett said: “It would be nice to get some of those back. I don’t know whether Abdul or Jordan will be back for Tuesday. Hopefully so. Fingers crossed."Rowett - LCFC Live
That group bolster a list already featuring Jannik Vestergaard, Harry Souttar, Jamaal Lascelles, Hamza Choudhury, Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey. Leaving the Leicester gaffer with a skeletal defensive unit consisting of exactly two fit centre halves: Caleb Okoli and Ben Nelson, and just one fit left-sided full back in the wholly underwhelming Luke Thomas.
For Rowett, the fight for survival is now as much a battle against the physio's report as it is against the opposition. Middlesbrough are, worryingly, next up on Tuesday evening.