Manchester City defender on-loan at Leicester ruled out for between 12 and 16 weeks with knee injury

Leicester City have been hit by a major injury problem concerning on-loan star Callum Doyle of Manchester City, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed.

The 19-year-old is currently embarking on his second successive Championship loan spell following a hugely impressive stay with Coventry City last season en route to a play-off final appearance at Wembley Stadium.

That developmental phase with the Championship side followed on from another positive stay with Sunderland in League One the season prior, and while many tipped Doyle to make the step up to the Premier League this season, a move to the second-tier was arranged.

However, after an immensely positive start to the season working with Leicester City and contributing to their position as the league’s leaders after eight matches, a serious knee injury has cut short his campaign progress.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Foxes’ Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon, Leicester manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the latest concerning mainstay centre-back Callum Doyle.

Maresca confirmed that Doyle will be ruled out of action for between 12 and 16 weeks due to a knee injury, but the former Manchester City assistant coach admitted that the club still cannot confirm exactly what the injury is in detail.

In a further important detail, Enzo Maresca also confirmed though that Callum Doyle would stay at Leicester City for his recovery process, as opposed to cutting short his temporary stay at the King Power and returning to his parent club at the City Football Academy.

Callum Doyle’s injury setback is likely to mean he will remain out of action for Leicester City until the new calendar year, but is expected to play a continued vital role in the second-half of the season as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

Doyle remains highly-rated by Manchester City officials, and there is a belief in some quarters that the player has a future at the Etihad Stadium alongside the likes of James McAtee – currently on-loan at Sheffield United – and Oscar Bobb.