Six Feature In Shakespeare’s Fitness Update
- Kelechi Iheanacho is fit to face Arsenal, says manager Craig Shakespeare
- Danny Drinkwater and Vicente Iborra will both miss out
- Robert Huth, Papy Mendy and Islam Slimani have all returned to training
- The Foxes face Arsene Wenger’s men at Emirates Stadium on Friday (7.45pm kick-off)
Iheanacho made an immediate impact during his first appearance for the Foxes after he came off the bench to set up Jamie Vardy for his second goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach last week.
The Nigeria international was then withdrawn as a precaution after picking up a toe injury, but has now fully recovered, according to the City boss.
“Danny Drinkwater as got a thigh injury and should hopefully be another week,” Shakespeare told the media on Wednesday afternoon.
“On a positive note, Kelechi trained fully after his little knock against Borussia Mönchengladbach. He’s over his toe injury and he’s fully fit.
Shakespeare Gives Injury Update
Craig Shakespeare gave an update on the Foxes injury problems ahead of their Premier League fixture against the Gunners.
“Whether he can last 90 minutes, we’ll have to have a discussion about that, but he’s been training the last few days and looks sharp. That’s pleasing for us.
“Robert Huth is back in training which is a real bonus because we thought he would be out for more time. He’s joined in and he will get some game time with the Under-23s on Monday. He’s well ahead of schedule and he’s raring to go.
“Papy Mendy is back in training, so we get one or two back and we lose one or two but that’s the way it is at the moment in terms of injuries.”
Islam Slimani was another man to pick up an injury during pre-season, this time against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but has since began training again.
Shakespeare continued: “He’s returned to training. It was in an awkward place behind the knee. I think he had seven stitches in total. It was a nasty injury really.
“I’m not blaming the tackle at the time because I just think it was an unfortunate situation. He’s slowly getting back and he’s joined in training the last few days.
“We just need to get him sharp. He’s fully recovered from it but it was a nasty injury that just stops the mobility of the leg and the knee fully bending. He’ll be involved.”
Meanwhile, Iborra will miss out after straining his groin in training. Shakespeare expects the Spaniard to be out for up to two weeks.
He added: “Iborra has picked up a groin strain the other day in training so he will miss Friday’s game. I’m just waiting on the scan results. I expect that type of injury to be no longer than seven to 14 days.
“I saw Vicente’s face this morning as we had a chat. He’s obviously gutted but I think he’s experienced to know that he’ll get over it quickly. I’m without a very experienced midfield player but we’ve got enough strength in depth to deal with it.”