Martin confirms Leicester defender will miss most of the season and gives updates on other injuries | OneFootball

Leicester City manager Russell Martin has confirmed that centre-back Ben Nelson is set to miss the majority of the season.

The 22-year-old sustained an ACL injury last weekend against Genoa in pre-season. The defender is now expected to be sidelined for the next nine months.

“It’s really disappointing with Ben, really sad for him and for us,” said Martin. “He’ll be out for the majority of the season.

“He ruptured his ACL, so he requires surgery next week. Our job with Ben, who is an outstanding young player and young man, is to support him through that and to make sure he still feels part of it and cared for.

“I spoke to him this week already about him having a role to play at some point for sure. He needs to get his operation done and then see what he wants to do and how he can help. There’s many ways he can help, he’s an intelligent young man.

“I’m really disappointed because he’s a huge asset to this football club, on and off the pitch. We will miss him for sure. It’s probably the only negative we’ve had in pre-season and it’s a big one.”

It is terrible news for the Foxes on the eve of the new season. After back-to-back relegations, Leicester now find themselves in League One but Martin did have some more positive updates on other injured players.

He continued: “Will (Alves) is back fit. Alex (McCarthy) is training, so we’ve just got to make a decision on whether it’s too early or not to put him back in.

“With Conor (Chaplin), it’ll probably be another week or so. Conor not for tomorrow, but hopefully for Notts County.

“Everyone else apart from that is fit and raring to go.”