Brendan Rodgers has said Leicester need to sign a new centre-back after the “horrendous” injury sustained by Wesley Fofana against Villarreal on Wednesday. The 20-year-old French defender faces a lengthy absence after sustaining a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle in an ugly tackle by the forward Niño in what was supposed to be a warm-up match.
A scan late on Thursday is expected to give Leicester a clearer idea of how long Fofana’s recovery will take. Rodgers said Fofana’s condition might have been worse if not for quick action by a club doctor.
“He fractured his fibula and we are all devastated for him,” the manager said. “He’s a top-class young player so he is going to be a huge loss for us. Our medical team were fantastic on the night. They looked after him straight away as soon as he got in [to the dressing room]. Our trauma doctor was able to put his ankle back in place and then he got off to hospital.
“He will have a scan later [on Thursday] to give us an indication as to how long he is going to be out. His ankle was so swollen that it was not safe to be looked at [on Wednesday].”
Rodgers said he was “not overly happy with the way the game was officiated”. “It was a horrendous challenge. Straight away [Niño] apologised and there was also an apology afterwards. It is disappointing for something like that to happen in a pre-season friendly.”
Rodgers said the one positive was Fofana’s mental fortitude. “I got a video from him in the hospital on Wednesday night and he was smiling and happy. In our conversations he said he’s ready to come back stronger. He’s a very tough boy, mentally and physically, so I’ve got absolutely no doubt he’ll come back a better player.”
Leicester had been contemplating signing a centre-back even before losing Fofana, because Jonny Evans is not likely to be fit until mid-September, leaving Caglar Soyuncu as the only available first‑choice player in that position. Filipe Benkovic or Daniel Amartey could deputise there in the Community Sheild against Manchester City on Saturday, or Wilfried Ndidi may drop back from midfield, as he did on occasions last season.
“We’re definitely light in that area,” Rodgers said. “It’s something we have to look at for sure.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers said he was confident that James Maddison would remain a Leicester player this season despite interest from Arsenal. “Yes, I believe so,” he said when asked whether Maddison was staying. “I haven’t been told anything to say he won’t be. He’s happy in training, he’s working very hard and he’s just recently become a father so he has responsibility off the pitch as well.
“There’s obviously gossip and speculation that goes around, especially this time of year, but James is a very important member of our squad. He’s a very talented player. His season was disrupted last year by injury but hopefully this season he can go and show what a top player he is.”
