Gary Rowett issues Leicester City, Abdul Fatawu injury update - Middlesbrough will be on red alert | OneFootball

Leicester City boss Gary Rowett has provided an injury update on Abdul Fatawu ahead of the Foxes' Championship clash with Middlesbrough.

Leicester City boss Gary Rowett has provided an injury update on both Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew ahead of his side's Championship clash with Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

The two attacking players missed out on the action as the Foxes were held to a 2-2 draw by Stoke City on Saturday in Rowett's first game in charge.

Leicester remain in the relegation zone, thanks to their recent six-point deduction, following their draw with the Potters.

In contrast, Tuesday's opponents, Middlesbrough, occupy an automatic promotion spot despite losing to league leaders Coventry City last Monday and drawing 0-0 with Oxford United on Saturday.

Leicester City boss Gary Rowett provides Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew injury update ahead of Middlesbrough test

The absence of both Fatawu and Ayew on Saturday meant that Leicester selected youngster Jeremy Monga on the wing and Zambia international Patson Daka up front.

Monga made a good account of himself against Stoke, producing the assist for Divine Mukasa's goal, but Daka failed to muster a shot on target in a struggling showing for the £23 million forward.

Speaking to Leicestershire Live post-match about Ayew and Fatawu's respective fitness, Foxes boss Rowett said: "The squad’s where it is, we’ve lost big, key players that make a huge difference.

"We lost two more yesterday, one in the middle of our last preparations, which doesn’t help. That’s Abdul and Jordan.

"It would be nice to get some of those back. I don’t know whether Abdul or Jordan will be back for Tuesday. Hopefully so. Fingers crossed."

Middlesbrough will keep a keen eye on Abdul Fatawu developments at Leicester

As Rowett alluded to, Ayew and Fatawu are both key players who make Leicester a stronger team when they are available.

However, the former Crystal Palace and Swansea City striker has scored just five goals in 30 Championship appearances this term, proving that he is not as clinical as he used to be.

Fatawu is one of the best wingers in the second tier, which he showcased when he notched six goals and 13 assists in the 2023/24 league season, playing a key role as Leicester sealed an immediate Premier League return.

The 21-year-old was unable to have an impact in the top-flight last season, largely thanks to a knee injury which ruled him out for much of the campaign.

This term, though, Fatawu has been back to his best, scoring eight goals and producing seven assists in 32 Championship outings, showing that he could be the man to fire the Foxes away from relegation danger.

Middlesbrough will keep a close eye on whether the former Sporting man can play for Leicester on Tuesday, as Rowett's side are a significantly more dangerous side when he is available.

Regardless of the winger's fitness, though, Boro cannot afford to slip up once again, as both Millwall and Ipswich Town are capable of beating them to an automatic promotion spot.

Boro are still just three points behind league leaders Coventry, but suffering a bad result against relegation-threatened Leicester this week would seriously dent their title credentials.

Fatawu's fitness, or potential lack of, will likely alter Kim Hellberg's game plan, as the 21-year-old has the quality to cause problems for the best teams in the Championship.

The winger scored against play-off hopefuls Birmingham City and Southampton earlier this month, and will be keen to produce the same impact against Boro if he is available.