Gary Rowett has said he will have a rethink over his team for Portsmouth this weekend with City in a desperate situation and with their Championship future on the line
Gary Rowett on the touchline during Leicester City’s 2-2 draw with Preston(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Joe Aribo’s game intelligence could be an asset that Gary Rowett draws on as Leicester City seek the answer to Championship survival.
Aribo has barely featured since joining on loan from Southampton and, right now, looks to be another piece of underwhelming business by the club.
His only start came at Birmingham City under caretaker boss Andy King, with five substitute outings made in Rowett’s 10 games.
But City are now in a desperate situation and Rowett has suggested he will tinker with his side at Portsmouth in order to get the victory that reduces the four-point gap to safety.
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Rowett has said he will exchange a polished display in order to have more “toughness” in the performance, and Aribo would bring more physicality than some of City’s other midfielders.
The manager also praised his game intelligence, but did place doubts over his match fitness, given how little he’s played over the course of the season.
Speaking at the start of the month, Rowett said: “For Joe, when you come into the building and someone’s not played that many games… I get those are the players who are available in January. Joe’s experience, I can definitely understand why he was brought to the club.
“But it’s always hard to start lots of games quickly because he hasn’t played much and you’re thinking whether he’s going to be able to last the games. I’ve tended to use Joe off the bench occasionally, where you need someone who understands the game.
“He’s a really intelligent footballer, he takes up good areas and he’s comfortable in possession. He’s going to be important for us.
“Whether he starts lots of games between now and the end of the season will be dictated by results and others’ performances. He’s definitely a player who can add value in the game, in the squad, and in different areas.
“He can play as an eight, he can play as a six, though he’s not necessarily renowned for that. He’s played as a narrow winger for a lot of his career. As you get more experience you drop back and use those qualities.”
Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp have been City’s deeper midfield pair and if Rowett was to use Aribo, he’d likely replace one of them.
Further forward, it’s likely Jordan James will come in to the team to replace Divine Mukasa.
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