- Patson Daka, Jamie Vardy and Conor Coady are out of contention for Leicester City’s season opener
- Manager Steve Cooper confirmed that the trio will not be available due to injury
- Defender Luke Thomas is back in training, Cooper also revealed in his pre-match press conference
- Tottenham Hotspur are the first opponents for the Foxes’ Premier League return
The Leicester City Manager, speaking in his first press conference ahead of the Club’s Premier League return, provided an update on how the squad is looking prior to Monday night’s fixture, including in the forward line.
Zambia international Daka limped off during the first half of last week’s friendly away to RC Lens and will not be available for selection for a period of time, while City’s No.9 Vardy, who suffered an injury earlier in the pre-season schedule, is also out of the season opener.
“Patson [Daka] obviously is not great news,” the 44-year-old said. “He suffered quite a serious ankle injury last week in the game in Lens and he is going to be out for a good few months. He’s having an operation today (Friday). That’s really unfortunate for him because he was looking good in pre-season.
“Vards, similarly, he’s been injured since the second week of pre-season now, when we were on one of our pre-season camps. He’s closer to returning but it will be a little while, although he’s itching to get back. But it’s not great at that end of the pitch.
“He’s right at the latter stages of rehab now and just making sure he can fight past those final stages before he returns. With experience and age a little bit, he really understands his body and he knows what it takes.
“It’s not the first injury he’s recovered from or even played with and he will have a big say in that process of returning. We’ll work together with him.”
Despite the continued absence of Coady, there was better news in the defensive ranks, with full-back Luke Thomas back among the squad, having missed the final pre-season friendly of the season.
Cooper added: “Conor Coady will be out for a few more weeks as well with his hamstring, but Luke Thomas has returned to training.”