Ayoze Perez injury blow before Watford
The Mirror have confirmed that Leicester City forward Ayoze Perez is struggling to be fit for the restart of the Premier League season.
Last weekend, Brendan Rodgers staged an 11 vs 11 match at the King Power Stadium as Leicester upped their preparations before their away trip to Watford on June 20.
The Leicester Mercury noted that Perez played no part in that match:
It did not appear that Ayoze Perez was given any pitch-time. The Spaniard was captured warming up on the sidelines with back-up goalkeepers Eldin Jakupovic and Viktor Johansson.
Now, the Mirror have reported that Perez is nursing an injury. Readers are told:
Ayoze Perez is in a race to be fit for Leicester’s Premier League return after sitting out a practise match with a muscle strain.
Mirror Sport understands Perez has also been told to take it easy this week and is unlikely to train.
Perez, who joined Leicester from Newcastle last summer, has scored 7 goals for the Foxes in the Premier League.
Ayoze Perez missed #LCFC ‘s practice match on Saturday with a muscle strain & has been advised to rest this week. May not train. Race against time to be fit to start at Watford a week Saturday. https://t.co/NnjZwyEr0s
— James Nursey (@JamesNursey) June 8, 2020
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United is challenged by Ricardo Pereira of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Leicester’s injury issues vs Watford
In recent days, any hopes of seeing Leicester right-back Ricardo Pereira in action during the remainder of the season have been dashed.
Ricardo Pereira is now recovering following a knee op on damaged ligaments.
The right-back is hoping to be fit for August.
Daniel Amartey is also on the treatment table at Leicester with an ankle problem. He’s also set to miss the Watford match.
🦊 Leicester City were another side to stage an intra-squad friendly, with first-teamers split across the two teams. The injured Ricardo Pereira and Daniel Amartey weren’t involved, with @JrdnBlackwell reporting that Ayoze Perez was watching on from the sidelines.#FFScout #FPL
— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) June 7, 2020
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford FC at The King Power Stadium on December 04, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Who will Leicester play at right-back vs Watford?
Brendan Rodgers has a few options.
The most likely option is James Justin, a right back by trade but also a versatile defender. Justin has made a handful of appearances this season and is highly rated.
Other youthful options include Vontae Daley-Campbell or Dennis Gyamfi could fill in at right-back.
Alternatively, Hamza Choudhury played in the full-back slot in the 11 vs 11 game last weekend.
Watch highlights of the Leicester 11 vs 11 game
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Ayoze Perez talks to Radio Marca Tenerife
Returning to Ayoze Perez, the forward has spoken to Radio Marca Tenerife this week about his life at Leicester.
When the league stopped in March, Leicester were on course for Champions League qualification sitting third in the standings.
On playing in next season’s UCL, Perez said:
I don’t want to think about my possible Champions League debut, but I have.
There are nine games left and we have to qualify.
There will be time to think about those magical midweek nights.
Perez also offered his thoughts on just how good Jamie Vardy is:
When it comes to running behind the defences, he is among the five best strikers in Europe.
He is a nuisance for defenders and his work is very important to us.
⚽️⚽️🎙️ @ayozepg: “Jugar la Eurocopa sería un sueño para mí”https://t.co/OXEdOqxlTw pic.twitter.com/6iB6ZFVHjp
— Radio MARCA Tenerife (@RadioMarcaTfe) June 8, 2020
