Jannik Vestergaard “feels better than ever” as he aims to reclaim his spot in Leicester City’s starting line-up this weekend.
The Danish centre-back was dropped to the bench for the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, with manager Steve Cooper opting to give £15m summer signing Caleb Okoli his Premier League debut.
It marked the first time since last season’s start that Vestergaard was fit and available but not included in the starting eleven for a league game.
Cooper justified his decision by pointing to the need for “different attributes” to face particular opponents, possibly favouring Okoli’s speed to contend with Villa’s pacey striker, Ollie Watkins.
However, Vestergaard has made his case for a return to the side with two standout performances for Denmark during the international break.
His contributions helped secure 2-0 wins over Switzerland and Serbia, earning him plaudits in the Danish press.
Speaking to the media in Denmark about his exclusion from the City team, Vestergaard insisted he was in top condition and ready to fight for his place.
“It is a completely natural thing that there is competition for the places and that the coach has a choice to make,” he said. “I was available and I am available. I am both when I start and when I am on the bench.”
He added, “But I’m in good shape. I actually feel better than ever before. I don’t have an answer to your question in relation to the explanation, but I am available.”
The competition for Leicester’s centre-back spots is fiercer than ever, especially with Conor Coady now fully recovered from a hamstring injury.
Coady is pushing to be included in the Premier League squad for the first time this season, having missed the opening weeks of the campaign.
He’s been the only central defender training at Seagrave during the international break, as Okoli has been away on Italy duty and Wout Faes represented Belgium.
With Vestergaard’s form on the international stage and Coady’s return to fitness, Cooper faces a tough decision ahead of Leicester’s clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.