Leicester City defender Ben Nelson is set to miss the majority of the 2026-27 season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season match.
Nelson left the pitch midway through the loss to Genoa, with the severity of his knee injury confirmed before Leicester’s upcoming first-round League Cup tie against Northampton.
Advertisement
“It’s really disappointing. Sad for him, sad for us,” commented head coach Russell Martin on BBC Radio Leicester.
“Our role now is to support him during this time and ensure he feels cared for. His absence will definitely be felt.”
The 22-year-old made 27 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions last season, and Martin suggested that Nelson’s long-term absence may push the club to seek a central defender in the transfer market.
“This likely means we will be more proactive in searching for a defender than we initially planned,” Martin added.
Harry Souttar, who captained Australia in the recent World Cup, will lead the team during the Cup match against Northampton.
Advertisement
Martin commended the Socceroo centre-back’s performance since returning from an Achilles injury.
“He captains his country and has been doing exceptionally well since his comeback. I believe he deserves the captaincy; he’s a true leader,” stated Martin.
“We have some strong characters and leaders in the squad, which is vital for the club and the dressing room dynamic.”
Russell Martin is preparing to lead his first competitive match for Leicester in the League Cup [Getty Images]
Regarding team availability, Martin confirmed that midfielder Will Alves is fit, goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has returned to training and may feature against Northampton, while Conor Chaplin will miss out but could be back for Leicester’s league opener against Notts County next week.
Advertisement
Martin also praised winger Wes Burns, who joined from Ipswich Town on a three-year contract, along with Chaplin.
“They both bring valuable experience of promotion from this level and have plenty of games under their belt. It’s a tremendous addition for us,” he commented.
“Both he and Conor had opportunities in the Championship, but they are genuinely excited about what we aim to accomplish here.”