Leeds fc key player is set to go on surgery

Leicester City will have two crucial players available for their Championship title clash with Leeds United on Friday night.

The Foxes are nine points clear of Leeds, and a win by the visitors may ruin Daniel Farke’s title chances with 13 games remaining. However, a victory for the hosts would start the campaign for the championship.

Finally, promotion back to the Premier League is the primary goal. A loss to Leicester would give third-placed Southampton extra ground, while a win over Hull City on Monday night would propel them back into second place. Leicester manager Enzo Maresca received a double selection boost over the weekend ahead of the trip to Elland Road.

Marc Albrighton returned from injury as a substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, the club’s sixth loss of the season.

Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho has joined the attack, and he will play his first Leicester game since Nigeria came second in the Africa Cup of Nations final nine days ago.

However, the league’s leaders may still be missing a few names. Wilfred Ndidi is out with a long-term muscular ailment, and defender Ben Nelson is doubtful after picking up an issue a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, Leeds will be missing Patrick Bamford, who is recovering from a calf injury sustained during the warm-up for this month’s 4-0 victory against Swansea. The striker has four goals in 22 Championship appearances this season.

“We expect him to be out for not too long,” Farke said last week. “I don’t expect him to return for the upcoming game against Leicester.” It would be a pleasant surprise if he could.”

Sam Byram, Pascal Struijk, and Stuart Dallas are also expected to miss the game, however Karl Darlow could return to the lineup.