Leicester City manager Russell Martin faces a significant team selection challenge ahead of Saturday's trip to face high-flying Stockport County. The Foxes boss is dealing with several key injuries as his side, currently 18th in League One, prepares to visit a County team sitting third in the table.
Russell Martin said the situation presents a "death for the King Power Club" as he weighs his options. The visitors will be without first-choice goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, who is injured, alongside forward Conor Chaplin and defender Caleb Okoli. That forces a change between the posts, with Alex McCarthy expected to start after playing one half of football without conceding a goal this season.
With injuries mounting, Martin is predicted to retain a back four. Captain Harry Souttar is a certain starter, likely partnered by Wout Faes. Christian McFarlane and Jayden Joseph are tipped to fill the full-back roles. Olabade Aluko and Woyo Coulibaly are potential replacements should Faes not be deemed ready, but both Faes and Coulibaly are on the squad list for this campaign. The defensive unit will need to be organised against a Stockport attack that has scored goals in the league so far.
A midfield four with two box-to-box players and two wing-backs is anticipated. Louis Page and Sammy Braybrooke are the favoured pairing in the centre. John Lundstram and Kamari Doyle are named as potential substitutes from the bench. Out wide, the wing-back duties are expected to fall to Jayden Joseph on one side and Wes Burns on the other, providing both defensive cover and attacking width.
In the final third, Will Alves is set to operate as the attacking midfielder behind a strike duo. Emil Riis and Admir Bristric are the predicted starters up front. Harry Howell and Tommy Watson are listed as potential wing options if Martin opts for a different shape. The attacking unit will be tasked with breaking down a Stockport defence that has conceded goals. The full stats for both teams make for interesting reading ahead of this clash.
The selection headaches underline the difficult start to the season for Leicester, who were predicted by some to finish in the top half. Facing a Stockport side just behind leaders Sheffield Wednesday represents a stern test. Martin's chosen XI will need to gel quickly to get a result at Edgeley Park. County will be looking to capitalise on any uncertainty, with their next fixture detailed on our fixtures list as this home game against Leicester on Saturday, September 12th. The match kicks off a busy period in the League One calendar.
