Wilfred Ndidi will on Saturday have surgery on a thigh injury that Leicester expect to keep him sidelined for 12 weeks.
The Nigerian sustained the injury during the second half of the Foxes’ 4-2 win over Burnley last Sunday, but still completed the match.
It is a huge blow for Leicester, as Ndidi is one of the best defensive midfielders in the country and has been impressing in central defence in the absence of the suspended Jonny Evans.
‘It’s an abductor problem and it’s unfortunate, the muscle has come right off the bone,’ said Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.