Steve Cooper press conference: Leicester boss on Abdul Fatawu’s injury

Abdul Fatawu was injured while on international duty with Ghana, and Cooper said it was “not good – a serious ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. A real blow.”

He said the 20-year-old needs support to make his rehabilitation and comeback go “as smoothly as possible” so he can come back “as a stronger player and person.”

Cooper believes Ricardo Pereira “will be a good ally in the medical room” after the Portuguese defender previously suffered a similar injury.

Striker Jordan Ayew also returned injured after international duty, but Cooper said it was “not a serious injury and I hope he will be available for the weekend.”

In more positive news, Patson Daka will be available for Saturday’s match and Jamie Vardy is undergoing modified training. Cooper will assess his condition before the match.

Finally, in team news, Bobby De Cordova-Reid is making progress in his recovery from the injury he suffered against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup: “ (He) is back on the training pitch. We hope he reports today and the cut will have no effect. do not reopen.”

Cooper believes the injuries represent “a real opportunity to bring us closer together and show who we really are.”

On Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes to promotion last season: “Enzo has done a great job getting the club back to the Premier League. He left and had a more than good start at Chelsea. We know we’re in a good position against a talented team with a really good coach, it’s a real test but we have to face it and be ready for it.”

Cooper was passionate about Leicester’s position in the Premier League: “I knew how difficult the challenge would be this year on and off the pitch. We have proven exactly that. We are fully aware of the environment in which we find ourselves. “

That’s why he summed up the season so far quite reflectively: “When you look back, there was a bit of everything. There were some decent results and then it was the opposite. We always want more. The league position is OK and if it stays that way, a lot of people would be happy, but I want more.”