Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho is set for a spell on the sidelines following an injury he sustained during Leicester City’s 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old has been ruled out for “a number of weeks” after he picked up a muscular injury before he was replaced by Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet.
Iheanacho was in fine form against Leeds, posing problems for the Whites’ defence.
He was rewarded for his attacking threat as his fine work led to Leicester City’s equaliser before his substitution.
The Nigerian’s through ball to James Maddison proved vital as the former Norwich midfielder played veteran striker Jamie Vardy through on goal for his second Premier League goal of the season.
However, amid fears of the former Manchester City forward potentially missing the rest of the season after scan results showed he had torn his adductor muscle, Foxes head coach Dean Smith failed to rule out his return.
“He’s got a tear in his adductor muscle. It puts him out for a number of weeks. It’s significant enough,” Smith said during Friday’s pre-match conference.
“It’s not going to rule him out until the end of the season, there’s five games to go. But it’s going to be tough to get him back. Hopefully we can.
“He’s disappointed obviously. He’d just scored two goals in two games and was putting in a good performance. It’s unfortunate for him. It’s a blow.
“He came on against [Man City] and did ever so well. He scored a goal, hit the post and had another chance as well. I thought he played well in the Wolves game, scoring and creating opportunities for Vards. His all-around displays have been really good. It will be a loss but like always it gives opportunities for others now,” the Foxes manager added.
Among the other strikers in the team, Iheanacho has scored the most goals for the 2015-16 league champions, with five goals and four assists, with only Harvey Barnes (10) and James Maddison (9) netting more.
The Nigeria international’s injury, however, will deal a huge blow to the Foxes as they continue their journey to survive relegation from the Premier League this season.
Leicester City, who are 18th in the league table with 29 points, will have to quickly turn their attention to a huge game over the weekend when they welcome fellow relegation-battlers and 19th-placed Everton to the King Power Stadium in a tie that could determine their league fate.