Patson Daka did not kick off until the early hours of Wednesday morning in Argentina, and so faces a quick turnaround to recover and get ready in time for Friday
11:08, 01 Apr 2026Updated 11:13, 01 Apr 2026
Leicester City striker Patson Daka in action for Zambia in their 5-0 loss to Argentina(Image: Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)
Patson Daka’s long trip back from international duty could influence Gary Rowett’s Leicester City team selection against Preston on Good Friday.
Daka played the final half-hour for Zambia as they were thumped 5-0 by reigning world champions Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The match took place in Buenos Aires and so, with the time difference, it kicked off at 12.30am UK time.
With only 48 hours for Daka to get back to City, recover, and train ahead of the Championship clash with Preston at 3pm on Friday, Rowett may feel he has to consider a different option up front.
Despite missing a penalty in the goalless draw with Watford last time out, Daka would have been favourite to start against North End, with Jordan Ayew struggling to make an impact under Rowett.
However, the veteran striker may be called upon at the King Power Stadium. Although he’s played twice for Ghana over the international break, he should be fresher.
Ayew scored in the Black Stars’ 5-1 defeat to Austria last Friday, and then played 90 minutes as they were defeated 2-1 by Germany on Monday night, City winger Abdul Fatawu on the scoresheet for Ghana.
But with the match taking place just a short flight away in Stuttgart and more than 24 hours extra to recover, Ayew may be the man that Rowett turns to.
The manager did say prior to the international break that the Good Friday fixture provided an “added challenge”.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid is in the same boat as Daka, playing across the Atlantic on Tuesday night.
Kicking off in Mexico at 10pm UK time, De Cordova-Reid played 80 minutes as Jamaica lost their World Cup qualifying play-off to Democratic Republic of Congo in extra-time, the Reggae Boyz missing out on a chance to reach the finals for the first time since 1998.
With Jordan James suffering an injury on Wales duty, Divine Mukasa will be the favourite to play behind the striker.
The Man City loanee was also on international duty, playing three times for England Under-19s, with his last outing a 20-minute substitute appearance in a 6-0 win over Portugal on Tuesday afternoon.
England’s 2026 World Cup kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Various Prices
England Official Store
Buy Now on England Official Store
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Who would you start up front and in attacking midfield on Friday? Click HERE to have your say.