The midfielder, City’s top scorer this season, returned early from Wales international duty after limping out of their World Cup qualifying defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina
14:19, 01 Apr 2026Updated 16:36, 01 Apr 2026
Jordan James looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Norwich City(Image: Getty Images)
Jordan James has avoided serious injury and could even be fit to play against Preston this Friday in a huge boost to Leicester City’s survival chances.
James looked like he could have a big problem after receiving treatment on an Achilles injury during Wales duty last week, the midfielder then sent home to City early.
But the midfielder, City’s star performer and top scorer this season, only has a minor issue.
While he has not yet trained since returning to Seagrave, there is a possibility he could play some part on Good Friday, when City host Preston in the first of their seven-game run-in to the end of the campaign.
But there may be some caution so as to ensure that if he does play, it won’t then rule him out of Monday’s meeting with Sheffield Wednesday.
“He came back for treatment,” City manager Gary Rowett said at his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. “He landed awkwardly but it wasn’t anywhere near what one or two people felt at the time that it might be something more sinister or more serious.
“He’s recovering well. He’s getting treatment. He hasn’t trained today, but then a lot of the international lads haven’t trained today or are not back yet.
“Tomorrow morning (Thursday), we’ll be having a discussion as to whether we think he’s available. If you speak to JJ, he’s adamant he’ll be fit, which is a great sign.
“But we’ll try to find a balance between the two games, making sure that if he’s fit for the first one, he’ll still be fine for the second one.
“We’ll have that conversation tomorrow morning. But at least it’s a positive conversation in that I’m not saying he’s going to be unavailable. He’s potentially in contention.”
City may have just three players out for the game, with Jannik Vestergaard and Aaron Ramsey pushing to make their returns.
Harry Souttar is not yet in contention but did play 45 minutes in an in-house match on Wednesday. Asmir Begovic and Victor Kristiansen are ruled out.
There may be decisions to make over Patson Daka and Bobby De Cordova-Reid too, with both representing their countries on the other side of the Atlantic late on Tuesday night.
“We’ve got players coming back,” Rowett added. “Jannik has trained well for a period of time. Harry Souttar is playing in a game as we speak. He’s got through 45 minutes. He’s making good steps towards a return at some point. He’s been out for a long time.
“Aaron Ramsey has trained well and trained consistently. We’ve got a few coming back. We’ve got a few of the internationals who won’t land until Thursday morning.”
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