Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi will miss Saturday’s Premier League game against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
The Super Eagles midfielder sustained a hamstring injury during last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ndidi, who was substituted for Oliver Skipp shortly before the hour mark, has been a consistent performer for Leicester this season.
His absence comes as a significant blow to the Foxes, especially with a congested schedule during the festive period.
Leicester confirm Ndidi absence
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Van Nistelrooy provided clarity on the midfielder's injury and estimated recovery time.
“He has a hamstring injury, so he’s not available for [Saturday's] game,” Van Nistelrooy said via Leicester City's official website.
“We’re looking at his progress and how he will react to the injury, but it looks like it’s at least a couple of weeks.”
Hamstring injuries are a common occurrence in football, with recovery times varying based on the severity of the injury. Minor strains (Grade 1) can heal within a few weeks, while more severe tears (Grade 3) may require months of rehabilitation
The Foxes’ boss, who recently replaced Steve Cooper, will have to navigate a tough run of fixtures without Ndidi, including Newcastle away, Wolves at home, a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, and a meeting with defending champions Manchester City.
Ndidi has been pivotal for Leicester this season, starting all 16 of their 17 Premier League games and averaging 80 minutes per match. With one goal and four assists, his contributions have extended beyond his defensive duties.
The Nigerian international has also registered 48 tackles, a figure bettered only by Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz and Wolves’ João Gomes.
