Kasey McAteer’s hamstring injury sustained in the victory over Blackburn is expected to keep him out for a month, according to Leicester City.
City’s leading scorer unexpectedly pulled up less than 20 minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute and trying to rush into the area. He could be out until after the international break in November after limping off.
Unfortunately with a muscle problem like this, it will always be four, five, six weeks,” Maresca said of McAteer. “He played two days ago and not only because he worked hard, but also mentally for a guy who was last year in League Two and played at Anfield, it’s not easy.”
That means City will have at least five players unavailable to face North End. Dennis Praet and former Preston loanee Tom Cannon are still out with their back problems, while Callum Doyle is unlikely to be seen until the new year following knee surgery.
To cover the holes in their roster, City will have to bring in two new players. Marc Albrighton is most likely to be the first, while Ben Nelson or Wanya Marcal, who have recently been playing for the Under-21s, are most likely to be the second.
