World Cup Qualifiers are going on in full swing as countries all around the globe are rubbing shoulders in a bid to book a place in football’s biggest extravaganza in Russia next year. But clubs have been affected hugely as a number of players got injured while donning shirts of their respective countries and it has created a difficult situation for the clubs.
Leicester City midfielder Wilfried Ndidi suffered a hamstring injury against Zambia which could put him out of the game for a considerable amount of time. The extent of his injury is still unknown and he is scheduled to report to the club where tests will determine how long he will have to miss the game.
The Foxes face West Bromwich Albion this weekend and Craig Shakespeare is facing a selection headache ahead of this crucial game. Although it seemed the injury is not serious, the gaffer doesn’t want to rush things.
Nigeria secured a World Cup berth as they narrowly edged Zambia 1-0. Ndidi’s injury has added to Shakespeare’s concerns who already has a very thin midfield. Ndidi’s injury means the gaffer now has to choose between Andy King, Vicente Iborra and Daniel Amartey for two roles in the middle of the park.
The injured Nigerian has been a silent warrior for the Foxes since his arrival in the Premier League. The one-time Premier League champions lost their enormously talented midfielder N’Golo Kante more than a year ago and Ndidi is the one who has come the closest to replacing him.
The midfielder has been a one-man army in the Leicester midfield. His £17m arrival from Genk allowed him to take control of thing and he has been pretty influential for the Foxes in almost every game. He has been tireless in the middle of the pitch and has been pushing the team from the middle.
With Ndidi injured, it would be a golden chance for Vicente Iborra to prove himself to the manager. The former Sevilla midfielder is yet to make a start in the Premier League since his move from La Liga and has been battling to get a chance in the starting lineup.
Leicester are scheduled to entertain the Baggies who are known for their tough and rough defending. Tony Pulis’ side loves to hit the opposition on the break and Iborra needs to make ensure they don’t get the necessary space to break his side’s defence.
Matty James has been a regular in the starting lineup and he will have to find a solution to break the Baggies rigid backline. The Foxes do have a very envious attacking lineup and James just needs to be patient with the supply of quality balls upfront.
Iborra or King or even Amartey, Leicester need to be strong and play as a unit to get anything from this game. But do you think Ndidi’s absence reduces their chances of picking up a result?
