Leicester expected to accelerate their plans to sign a new defender this summer with the Foxes keen on a loan deal after Wesley Fofana broke his leg in their pre-season win over Villarreal
- Leicester are eager to bring in a new defender after Wesley Fofana’s leg break
- Boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed that the 20-year-old had fractured a fibula
- The break came from a tackle from Villarreal’s Fer Nino in a pre-season friendly
- As a result, the Foxes will now look to sign a new defender on loan for next term
Leicester will move for at least one central defender before their Premier League opener against Wolves with Wesley Fofana facing a significant spell on the sidelines.
Fofana will learn on Friday the exact nature of the damage after a scan on Thursday but manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed the 20-year-old had fractured a fibula during Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Villarreal.
Rodgers’ side take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday but the Leicester boss has one eye on the transfer market, with another centre-back, Jonny Evans, still out of action due to a foot problem.
Leicester are interested in signing a new defender after Wesley Fofana (pictured) broke his leg
Fofana broke his tibula after a late challenge from Villarreal’s Fer Nino in Wednesday’s friendly
Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers has been left short of defenders ahead of the new season
Last summer Leicester looked closely at Burnley defender James Tarkowski and Jonathan Tah, of Bayer Leverkusen, before signing Fofana from St Etienne for £32million. Tarkowski, 28, has only one year left on his contract.
‘We are definitely light in that area,’ said Rodgers. ‘Filip Benkovic has done well in pre-season and Daniel Amartey can play there but we are light and we will have to look at it, for sure.
Jonny Evans is a doubt for Leicester ahead of their Premier League opener against Wolves
‘There are certainly people that are identified, a small list of players we would look at. We will see what happens.’
Fofana’s absence is a huge blow for Leicester as they try to follow their FA Cup success in May with another Wembley triumph, this time against Pep Guardiola’s champions.
The Frenchman was outstanding in his first campaign in English football, establishing himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe.
Rodgers added: ‘It’s a horrendous injury and we are devastated for him. He is a top-class young player and a huge loss.’
Leicester would also prefer to get a defender in on loan rather than make a permanent signing