A permanent move to Leicester for Callum Doyle could work out for all parties.
This isn’t a surprise considering the pair seem to enjoy a productive relationship, with former Man City assistant and current Leicester boss Enzo Maresca being key to that.
James McAtee was linked with a summer switch to the King Power Stadium, with Pep Guardiola giving the Foxes permission to talk to the player ahead of a potential temporary switch to the Midlands.
Even though he moved to Sheffield United in the end, it seems as though the player dug his heels in to make sure this Bramall Lane return happened and if it was 100% up to City, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see him move to Leicester.
The move that did materialise was Callum Doyle’s loan switch, with Leicester likely to have fought off plenty of interest in the young defender to get a deal over the line following his bright spell at Coventry City.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if this relationship between City and the Foxes played a crucial part in this loan deal.
How has Callum Doyle got on at Leicester City so far?
Unfortunately for Doyle, he has been limited to just 10 competitive appearances so far this season due to a knee injury.
He sustained this injury against Bristol City, being taken off at half-time and being seen in a knee brace when he left the stadium.
Not only was he in a knee brace, but he was also on crutches and this sparked fears that he would be out for a while. And it was confirmed during the latter stages of September, a short while after the game against the Robins, that he would spend around 12 to 16 weeks on the sidelines.
When he returns to fitness, he’s likely to be a regular starter considering he’s a natural left-footer and did reasonably well during the early stages of his time at the King Power Stadium, arguably playing a considerable part in Maresca’s side despite spending much of the campaign out injured.
He did look slightly vulnerable in transition against an energetic Hull City side – but that hasn’t been a reflection of his loan spell overall.
Many fans are keen to see him back in action as quickly as possible – and it seems as though he isn’t too far away from returning. And he may only be three weeks away from being back in full training, which can only be good news for Maresca.
It’s already a risk making a permanent move for a player who has recently had a serious knee injury.
Knee injuries can end some players’ careers and there are no guarantees that Doyle will come back the same player, but many footballers have managed to recover and thrive before.
And at 20, the defender should be able to return and continue to develop.
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