Leicester City have been handed a crucial injury boost over the course of the international break, with Jamie Vardy and Facundo Buonanotte both now expected to be available for selection.
Concerns had been growing over the fitness of the two Foxes stars, but manager Steve Cooper moved to allay those fears ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. Cooper also provided updates on other members of the squad in his pre-match press conference.
The former Nottingham Forest boss, however, appeared frustrated when discussing the summer’s transfer window. Before addressing the upcoming clash with Palace, Cooper voiced his discontent with Leicester’s inability to fully operate in the market due to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which significantly impacted their dealings.
Cooper explained how the uncertainty surrounding the club’s financial standing hampered both signings and departures throughout the off-season.
“It’s been a challenge,” he admitted, adding that the situation had created more headaches than anticipated. The manager felt that the club’s hands were tied as they scrambled to meet PSR requirements, which involved offloading players to balance the books.
“You can’t blame him at all,” noted one source close to the club.
“He inherited a difficult situation from Enzo Maresca, and Leicester’s recruitment strategy was left in limbo for the entire preseason.”
It wasn’t until September, after the transfer window closed, that any real clarity emerged, leaving Cooper with a squad not quite shaped as originally intended.
The financial constraints did at least help alleviate wage issues, but the lack of certainty over the summer has undeniably left its mark.
“It’s left Cooper with more to deal with than he already had,” the source added, referring to Leicester’s position as a side tipped for relegation this season.
Despite the frustrations off the field, Leicester will be buoyed by the return of key players for the Palace clash. Vardy, the veteran striker, and Buonanotte, a fan favourite, will both be available to add much-needed attacking threat against Oliver Glasner’s well-organised Eagles side.
However, loanee Odsonne Edouard will be unavailable to face his parent club, and Patson Daka and Jakub Stolarczyk remain sidelined with injuries.
On a brighter note, no new injury problems have arisen from international duty, though Bobby De Cordova-Reid has yet to return to training at Seagrave. Leicester will be hoping to capitalise on the fitness boosts as they aim to turn their fortunes around at Selhurst Park.