Louis Page to start for Leicester against Oxford as Cifuentes confirms call | OneFootball

Louis Page will make his first Championship start since August on Saturday, with Marti Cifuentes confirming on Friday the 17-year-old replaces Jordan James in Leicester City’s midfield against Oxford.

According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, Page has had 20-minute cameos in each of City’s past five league matches, impressing with composure, vision, dribbling under pressure and interceptions.

James is out for at least four weeks, creating the opening for Page to start. Cifuentes said the teenager has developed since his first pre-season and first steps in senior football, even after spells slightly higher up the pitch.

He noted the demands of teams pressing high and felt the experience would help him build confidence. After agreeing with the FA for Page to play at the Under-17s World Cup, he returned to produce quality minutes in nearly every game and, in Cifuentes’ view, is showing he will be important for the future.

With Oliver Skipp also injured, City need another change in the middle. Hamza Choudhury is the frontrunner to step in, with Boubakary Soumare another option.

In defence, the manager must choose whether to persist with Ben Nelson at left-back or drop Caleb Okoli or Jannik Vestergaard to restore Luke Thomas.

Given the absences, a new face on the bench is likely, with Logan Briggs and Michael Golding vying for a call-up.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk