Leicester’s Fofana suffers broken leg

Leicester defender Wesley Fofana says he suffered a broken leg in his side’s pre-season friendly against Villarreal.

Fofana sustained the fractured fibula when he was tackled by Villarreal forward Nino in the second half at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday.

The France under-21s centre-back had lengthy treatment on the pitch, including being given oxygen, before he was stretchered off.

“Hello guys, many thanks for all your messages. It is a bad day today (Thursday) but I am in a tremendous club with a wonderful medical team,” Fofana wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

He said; “I will give you news as soon as I have a final diagnosis but we already know that I have a fibula fracture. I will come soon and stronger: do not worry.”

Fofana excelled for the Foxes last season after he joined from Saint-Etienne in October.

He made 38 appearances as Leicester finished fifth in the Premier League and won the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

Fofana’s injury is a major blow to Leicester ahead of the new Premier League season.

They also play in the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.

“It was a horrendous injury for us and we are obviously devastated for him, and for everyone because he’s a top-class young player. He’s going to be a huge loss for us.

“He’ll have another scan today which will give us probably a clearer indication of how long he’s going to be out. But of course, it was a horrible injury for him and we were all thinking of him last night,” Leicester boss, Brendan Rodgers said.

Rodgers criticised the tackle on Fofana and said there had been apologies from Villarreal manager Unai Emery.

“It was a horrendous challenge, it wasn’t a good challenge at all. But straight away Unai apologised, and afterwards there was an apology,” he said.

Rodgers was also asked if England midfielder James Maddison, who has been linked with Arsenal, would be staying at Leicester.

He said; “I believe so. I haven’t been told anything to say that he wouldn’t be.

“He’s happy in training, he’s working very hard. He’s just recently become a father, so the responsibility lies off the pitch as well.

“Clearly there’s gossip and speculation that goes around, especially at this time of the year. But James is a very important member of our squad here.”

AFP/Mercy Chukwudiebere