Ben Nelson injury latest as Leicester City hit by new worry after Oxford withdrawal | OneFootball

Leicester City may have suffered another injury blow, with Ben Nelson withdrawn at half-time against Oxford because of a swollen knee. The defender started at left-back for the second match running and Luke Thomas replaced him for the second period.

According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, Marti Cifuentes said the enforced change followed the swelling and he did not yet know if the problem was serious. He added it felt best to take Nelson off and he hoped it was not a big one.

Nelson has impressed since coming into the side at the start of December and has handled the unfamiliar role at left-back reasonably well.

If this setback proves serious, he would become the seventh City player unavailable for selection. Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey have hamstring issues, Victor Kristiansen has a knee problem and Harry Souttar is sidelined with knee and Achilles trouble, while Harry Winks is not being considered.

Oliver Skipp is the next most likely to return after missing the Oxford defeat because of a head injury sustained in the draw with Wrexham, but no return date has been set.

An injury to Nelson would leave just two fit senior centre-backs, Caleb Okoli and Jannik Vestergaard, with Wout Faes on loan at Monaco for the rest of the season.

Bade Aluko can also cover in central defence and Under-21s defender Kevon Gray made the matchday squad for the first time on Saturday.

At full-back, the options are Thomas, Aluko, Ricardo Pereira and Hamza Choudhury.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk