Full Leicester City squad for Nottingham Forest as Steve Cooper suffers ‘setback’

Jannik Vestergaard’s “setback” will keep him out for a couple of weeks, Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has suggested.

The central defender, who has not played for the club since August, had a recurrence of his ankle injury after he returned from Denmark duty last week. He had initially suffered the issue in September, but he had recovered in time to play twice for his country, against Spain and Switzerland.

Now back on the sidelines, Cooper has indicated he’s expected to miss a couple of weeks, with the 32-year-old understood to have undergone a scan last Friday. Aside from Vestergaard, there are no fresh injuries for City to deal with, Cooper has said.

“Jannik had a recurrence with his ankle that ruled him out of Southampton,” Cooper said at his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. “That was a setback for him. It shouldn’t rule him out for too long but it was a bit of a pity. He got some good minutes with the national team and it was good to get him back involved but he had a setback when he returned.

“Hopefully it will be less (than a few weeks). It’s something he’s had before. Being an experienced player, he knows his body well and can manage it. It’s a little bit inconclusive but hopefully not too long. Apart from that, we’re as we were.”

It means City’s only other absences are those with serious injuries: Jakub Stolarczyk (foot), Patson Daka (ankle), and Hamza Choudhury (shoulder). They are slowly recovering.

Cooper added: “The guys who have been out for a longer period are getting closer. Pato has been on the grass and has been progressive with his rehab. He seems to be getting closer.”

Full Leicester City squad for Nottingham Forest: Mads Hermansen, Danny Ward, Daniel Iversen, James Justin, Ricardo Pereira, Victor Kristiansen, Luke Thomas, Wout Faes, Caleb Okoli, Conor Coady, Wilfred Ndidi, Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp, Boubakary Soumare, Facundo Buonanotte, Bilal El Khannouss, Will Alves, Abdul Fatawu, Jordan Ayew, Kasey McAteer, Stephy Mavididi, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Jamie Vardy, Odsonne Edouard.