Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious knee injury while representing Ghana during the international break.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola, a setback Leicester manager, Steve Cooper described as a significant blow.
“It’s not good; it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of Leicester’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday. “He’s had an ACL injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s tough, especially for a young player like him, to face such a severe injury. While ACL injuries are not uncommon in football, it doesn’t make them any less challenging.”
Fatawu has been an instrumental figure for the Foxes, playing a pivotal role in their promotion campaign last season and making 11 league appearances this term. He delivered a standout performance against Southampton on October 21, coming off the bench to help Leicester overturn a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. His dynamic display earned praise, with former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given calling him a “brilliant talent.”
“This guy is absolutely lightning,” Given remarked. “He’s a fantastic player off the bench and probably deserves to start.”
Despite Leicester’s current 15th-place standing in the Premier League, Cooper emphasized Fatawu’s importance to the team and expressed confidence in the winger’s ability to bounce back.
“He’s a big talent and an exciting young player with lots to learn,” Cooper added. “This is only a pause. We’ll ensure that he comes back stronger as both a player and a person. With his mentality and character, I’m sure he will.”
Leicester will now face the challenge of adapting without the young winger, who had started their last three games before the injury. The club remains committed to supporting Fatawu through his recovery, hoping to see him return better than ever.