Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur - Leicester hit with injury crisis

Posted Thursday, May 18, 2017 by PA

Craig Shakespeare is facing an injury crisis as he has just 16 fit senior players for their final two games.

The Foxes host Tottenham on Thursday and Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday struggling to make up a match day squad.

Defenders Wes Morgan (hamstring) and Robert Huth (foot) are out and are likely to miss the finale against the Cherries.

Midfielders Andy King (hamstring), Danny Drinkwater (thigh) and Nampalys Mendy (ankle) are also out, meaning young defenders Josh Knight and Elliott Moore will be drafted in on Thursday.

Shakespeare said: "Unfortunately we still have a few injuries. Wes won't be okay, Robert will be out, Danny Drinkwater and Papy Mendy are out and now Andy King joins the long list.

"We won't be doing a lot of training in the next few days. We'll make sure we do enough to be competitive in the games but the injuries have caught up with us. There's two games left and others will get their opportunities.

"The players can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I've said before about their attitude and professionalism and I expect us to have a real good go to finish as high as we can."

Opposite number Mauricio Pochettino has guaranteed he will still be Spurs manager at the start of next season and insists there is no buy-out clause in his contract.

Spurs have already secured a second-placed finish in the Premier League and sealed Champions League football for another year.

Pochettino has faced questions about his own future in recent weeks, amid interest from Barcelona and Inter Milan, with some reports in Italy suggesting his contract includes a buy-out clause.

The Argentinian, however, dismissed speculation he could leave Tottenham this summer.

"No, no buy-out clause in my contract. I will stay here next season," Pochettino said.

"There are many rumours but I am committed to the club and have no reason to leave the club. I will stay here, don't worry. On July 3, for pre-season, I will be here, don't worry."

Tottenham announced on Wednesday that Erik Lamela had undergone surgery on his right hip after having an operation on his left hip at the start of April.

Lamela, who has not played since October 25, is expected back for the start of next season and the club say the latest procedure will not affect his recovery time.

"The Argentina international recently had an operation on his left hip and the latest surgery will not affect the overall recovery period," read a statement on the club's official website.

Spurs are facing a shortage of full-backs when they visit Leicester on Thursday night after the club announced Danny Rose underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the campaign.

Kieran Trippier sustained concussion against Manchester United last weekend and is unavailable, while Kyle Walker has a minor ankle injury and will also miss out.

Rose has been out since the end of January.

Pochettino said: "I sent him a text yesterday (Tuesday) after the surgery and we exchanged some texts.

"Now it is a moment to give time to recover after yesterday and I will be here on Friday to check how he is. He will have all our support."