Leicester boss provides candid injury update ahead of Palace clash, including Vardy and Daka
Leicester City boss Steve Cooper has confirmed that his players have emerged unscathed from the international break ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday.
The newly promoted Leicester City have faced a challenging start to their Premier League return, with two losses and one draw from their first three matches.
The team’s survival will depend significantly on the long-term fitness and availability of their key players as manager Steve Cooper aims to defy predictions of an immediate drop back to the Championship.
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, following a two-week international break, Cooper confirmed that there have been no changes to his squad.
He noted that while some players are still recovering from international fixtures and long travels, such as Bobby De Cordova-Reid, this is a common scenario for Premier League teams.
Cooper emphasized that the club is adapting to the situation as best as they can.
There has been concern about Jamie Vardy’s fitness. The 37-year-old striker has started all three of Leicester’s league games this season.
Cooper discussed how the international break was utilized to manage Vardy’s fitness effectively.
“We tried to use the break wisely, allowing players to stay and train here,” Cooper explained.
“Vardy trained for a week before the injury, then had a single session before returning to Premier League action.
The break allowed us to get more training into him, and his application has been great. He played a full 90 minutes before the break and looked fit.”
Cooper also provided an update on long-term absentee Patson Daka, who has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained in Leicester’s final pre-season match against Lens.
“Daka is on the road to recovery. He is out of his boot and crutches now, and his mobility is improving.
He had surgery shortly after the injury, so while he is making progress, he is still some way from returning.”
Leicester City will face Crystal Palace on Saturday and will host Everton at the King Power Stadium the following weekend, with both matches crucial to their survival hopes.
