Levein to pick from depleted army

Definitely out are Joey Gudjonssson, Ryan Smith and Momo Sylla with Danny Tiatto, Patrik Gerrbrand and new signing Matt Fryatt also extremely doubtful.

Leicester thought they had an agreement with Sylla’s national team Guinea that he could return from the African Cup of Nations to play at Hillsborough but that is no longer the case according to the Leicester City Official site. He will be out for the full month of the tournament.

It all means Levein is down to around 17 players and that will likely mean opportunities for some of the younger personel, at least on the subs bench.

Names who spring to mind include Chris O’Grady, Alan Sheehan, Ashley Chambers, and even winger Levi Porter.

Joe Hamill is City’s only other natural winger but he has disappointed lately which suggests it may be difficult for Levein to play his favoured 4-4-2 system.

A mobile 4-5-1 is possible but the key could be whether Fryatt, suffering a hamstring niggle, is fit enough to be risked. However, the downside of playing him too early could be catastrophic and I doubt they’ll take the risk.

Expect something like:

Douglas;

Stearman, McCarthy, Dublin, Maybury;

Hughes, Hume, Williams, Kisnorbo;

Hammond, DeVries

Subs: Henderson, Johansson, Sheehan, O’Grady, Chambers.

Possible fringe players: Fryatt, Hamill, Porter.