Gary Rowett is two centre-backs down for the remainder of the campaign, with Jannik Vestergaard into the team and Harry Souttar making his long-awaited return on the bench
Caleb Okoli had started every game under Gary Rowett until Swansea(Image: Pro Sports Images)
Leicester City centre-backs Caleb Okoli and Ben Nelson won’t play again this season after both suffered campaign-ending muscle injuries this week.
Okoli was the surprise absentee from the line-up to take on Swansea, the Italian having started every match since Gary Rowett took charge at City.
And it was Jannik Vestergaard who stepped up to replace him, with Nelson also missing from the squad.
Rowett revealed after the game that Okoli had damaged his hamstring while Nelson had hurt his thigh, with both injuries suffered in training, and both serious enough to keep the players out beyond the final four games, with the season finishing in three weeks’ time.
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“Ben Nelson got injured the first day training after the last game,” Rowett said in his post-match press conference. “He’s going to be out for the season, I believe.
“Caleb got injured two days ago and he’s also going to be out for the season. That wasn’t fantastic news. Losing them was a blow.
“Ben’s is his thigh and Caleb’s is his hamstring. The severity of the injuries, you’d have to ask someone else, but because the time is running out, both of them won’t be available in these final games.”
Vestergaard came in to partner Lascelles, the Dane making his first start under Rowett, having only returned to fitness over Easter after undergoing a hernia operation.
Harry Souttar was the centre-back cover on the bench, the Australia international in a competitive matchday squad for the first time since December 2024, when he injured his Achilles while on loan at Sheffield United.
He’s not played a competitive match for City since December 2023, more than 840 days ago.
Which two of Vestergaard, Lascelles and Souttar would you start against Portsmouth? Click HERE to have your say.