Leicester winger Fatawu out for rest of the season

Winger Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season because of a “serious” knee injury, Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has announced.

The promising 20-year-old picked up the injury playing for Ghana, external in their draw with Angola during the international break.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” said Leicester boss Steve Cooper, whose side host Chelsea in the top flight on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury.

“For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.”

Fatawu helped the Foxes to promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign.

He inspired Leicester to a win against Southampton on 21 October – when the Foxes came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 after he came on in the second half – and had started the club’s three games since then.

“This guy is absolutely lightning, he’s a brilliant player to come off the bench. He probably should be starting, he’s a brilliant talent,” said former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given after Fatawu’s performance against the Saints.

Leicester are 15th in the Premier League with 10 points from their opening 11 games.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn,” added Cooper.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case.”