Leicester sweat over Fatawu, Jordan injuries

Gary Rowett is keeping his fingers crossed that Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew can return to fitness in time for tomorrow trip to Middlesbrough after both missed out on the draw at Stoke.

Leicester City manager Rowett said the Ghanaian pair picked up problems on the final day before the trip to the Bet365 Stadium.

It was the first time that star man Fatawu had missed a Championship game this season.

The winger was left out of the squad for the FA Cup tie at Southampton in a precautionary move around his knee, and looked set to return after training in midweek.

But he did not make the cut, Jeremy Monga starting in his place, while Ayew’s absence meant City had just one out-and-out striker in Patson Daka.

Rowett suggested both have small injuries, and so could be back in time for tomorrow’s fixture at promotion-chasing Boro.

“The squad’s where it is, we’ve lost big, key players that make a huge difference,” Rowett said after last Saturday’s 2-2 draw. “We lost two more yesterday, one in the middle of our last preparations, which doesn’t help. That’s Abdul and Jordan.

“It would be nice to get some of those back. I don’t know whether Abdul or Jordan will be back for Tuesday. Hopefully so. Fingers crossed.”

Victor Kristiansen also pulled up with an injury in the first half at Stoke, and if he, Fatawu, and Ayew don’t make it, City could have nine senior players out.