Leicester City confirm huge injury blow to Man City defender Callum Doyle

Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle, who is currently on loan at Leicester, faces up to four months out injured.

Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle faces up to four months on the sidelines through injury.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Foxes on a season-long loan deal during the summer, was substituted during last weekend’s 1-0 win over Bristol City at the King Power Stadium, ruling him out of the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The Championship table-toppers were beaten 3-1 despite racing into an early lead.

Doyle has been a key fixture for the Midlands outfit so far this season, meaning his long-term spell on the sidelines has robbed Maresca of a key player. Despite being a centre-back by trade, he had made the left-back berth his own at the King Power Stadium.

And with Leicester lacking left-footed options in the full-back areas, his loss is a huge blow for the Championship promotion hopefuls. Though the Foxes have not confirmed the specifics of his injury, Maresca has said that he could be out for up to 16 weeks.

“It’ll be between 12 and 16 weeks,” said Maresca, speaking on Friday. “He is the only player that is left-footed.

“He is the only one, so it is unlucky. We have many players [who are right-footed], but in that position, he’s the only one.

“It is what it is, so we’ll try to find a solution. Against Liverpool and Bristol City, JJ [James Justin] did very well.”

Doyle, who will stay at Leicester during his recovery period, joined the King Power Stadium club in the summer with the ambition of adding a first promotion from the Championship to his CV. He helped Coventry City reach the Championship play-off final last term, only to lose on penalties to Luton Town at Wembley.