Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has confirmed that the Foxes will be without their strike duo, Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka, for their Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening (8 pm UK time). This news comes as a significant blow for Leicester, as both forwards have been key players for the team, especially in a match of such importance to kickstart their campaign.
Jamie Vardy, the experienced forward who has been a talisman for Leicester City over the years, will be notably absent. At 37 years old, Vardy’s contributions to the club have been immense, with 136 goals in 307 Premier League appearances, a remarkable record that has solidified his status as one of the league’s most prolific strikers. Vardy had shown glimpses of his sharpness in pre-season, scoring against Villarreal on July 20th. However, shortly after that match, he suffered an injury that has since kept him on the sidelines. According to Cooper, Vardy is edging closer to a return, but he is not expected to be ready in time for Monday’s clash.
Patson Daka, the Zambian international who joined Leicester with high expectations, is also set to miss out due to a more severe injury. Daka sustained an ankle injury in a 3-0 friendly defeat against RC Lens last weekend, and the prognosis is not encouraging. Cooper revealed that Daka is set to be sidelined “for a good few months” and has already undergone surgery to address the issue. This injury is particularly disappointing for both the player and the club, as Daka was showing promising form during pre-season, and his absence leaves a noticeable void in Leicester’s attacking options.
In addition to the absences of Vardy and Daka, Leicester City has been dealt another setback with the injury to Conor Coady, a seasoned centre-back with Premier League experience from his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton. Coady, who was brought in to add stability and leadership to Leicester’s backline, is out with a hamstring injury. His experience would have been invaluable against a strong Tottenham side, and his absence further complicates Cooper’s defensive plans.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Leicester. There is a silver lining with the news that defender Luke Thomas has returned to training. Thomas, a product of Leicester’s youth academy, has developed into a reliable option at the back. His return is a welcome boost for Cooper, who will need all available resources to contend with Tottenham’s attacking threats.
Steve Cooper spoke candidly about the situation in his press conference on Friday. “Patson (Daka) obviously is not great news,” Cooper 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.”
These comments underscore the challenge facing Leicester as they prepare for the new season without two of their key attackers. Cooper’s acknowledgment of the difficulties at the attacking end of the pitch is a clear indication of the uphill battle Leicester faces in trying to secure a positive result against Tottenham.
On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur, under the guidance of new manager Ange Postecoglou, will look to take advantage of Leicester’s injury woes. Spurs have been gearing up for the season with a sense of optimism, and the absence of Vardy and Daka could present an opportunity for them to start the campaign on a high note. Postecoglou’s team news, which is expected to follow Cooper’s update, will be eagerly anticipated by Spurs fans as they look to see how their squad is shaping up for the opening fixture.
Leicester City’s injury concerns certainly put them on the back foot ahead of their Premier League opener. The loss of experienced players like Vardy and Coady, combined with the long-term absence of Daka, will undoubtedly test the depth and resilience of Cooper’s squad. However, the return of Luke Thomas offers some hope, and the Foxes will need to rally together if they are to overcome these early-season challenges.
As both teams prepare for Monday’s showdown, the stage is set for a fascinating encounter. While Leicester’s injury list is a concern, football is often unpredictable, and the Foxes will be determined to defy the odds on their home turf. For Tottenham, it’s an opportunity to capitalize on their opponent’s misfortunes and make a strong start to what promises to be an exciting Premier League campaign.
