Leicester City are preparing for their crucial Championship encounter against Birmingham City this weekend while potentially missing seven first-team players, placing immediate pressure on their four deadline day acquisitions to step up.
New Signings Thrust Into Immediate Action
Interim head coach Andy King has made it clear that Leicester's recent signings cannot afford a bedding-in period, despite their lack of recent match action. The club secured four players on deadline day to bolster their squad, but none have been playing regular senior football at their previous clubs.
Jamaal Lascelles has been sidelined since September, while Joe Aribo has managed just seven substitute appearances this season. The younger additions, Dujuan Richards and Divine Mukasa, have limited experience at senior level, with Richards featuring in Chelsea's Under-21 setup and Mukasa moving between Manchester City's first team and development squad.
King's Straightforward Assessment
"I think they've got to come in and be ready," King stated emphatically. "I don't think we're in a situation where we can bed people in over a period of time. The reality of our situation is that we need them to contribute."
The interim boss acknowledged the players' lack of match fitness but insisted that game time represents the only solution. "It would be silly for us to rule them out to say they need to get up to speed," he continued. "They've not played loads. The younger lads haven't played much senior football, the two older lads haven't played many minutes at their clubs, which is why they're available."
King concluded with a pragmatic outlook: "But ultimately we need them, we've bought them here to play, and the only way you're going to get match-fit is by playing games. I'm hoping they can all be involved."
Mounting Injury Concerns for City
The urgency surrounding the new signings stems from Leicester's growing injury list, which now includes seven potential absentees for the Birmingham clash:
- Hamza Choudhury (knee injury, out for at least a month)
- Jordan James (injured)
- Aaron Ramsey (injured)
- Harry Souttar (injured)
- Victor Kristiansen (injured)
- Caleb Okoli (suspended)
- Jannik Vestergaard (availability uncertain)
Specific Injury Updates
Choudhury represents the latest casualty, having sustained a knee issue during last weekend's match against Charlton. "Hamza won't be available," King confirmed. "It was a big blow for us on Saturday. He's going to be out for a little while."
The midfielder has travelled to London for specialist consultation, with King adding: "We're not too sure on a timeframe but it certainly won't be this month. It's his knee. Knees can be really bad. It doesn't seem that far, but he's not going to be available this month."
Regarding Vestergaard's situation, King remained cautious: "We'll see. He's trying to manage it. He's going to be outside today. He knows the situation and he knows we're short, especially in that defensive area now Caleb's suspended."
"He's trying everything he can but we're not going to put people out there who aren't going to be able to function properly, so we'll have to see how he goes today and tomorrow."
Positive News Amid the Crisis
One piece of encouraging news for Leicester comes in the form of Oliver Skipp's return. The midfielder has completed concussion protocol after missing two matches and is set to feature against Birmingham.
"Skippy's back," King announced. "That's a big boost. He's been an important player for us this season and another senior body. It's important for us to have him back."
This weekend's Championship fixture therefore presents a significant challenge for Leicester City, who must integrate new signings while managing substantial injury concerns as they face Birmingham City at St Andrew's.
