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Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare was dealt a huge injury scare ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Atletico Madrid when his only available centre-back limped off against Crystal Palace.
Younes Benalouane, who was certain to play in the Champions League quarter final second leg clash, was substituted in the second half of the draw against Palace.
But Shakespeare insisted the substitution was precautionary, with the Algerian suffering from cramp.
Shakespeare is set to be without both his first-choice centre-backs for the visit of Diego Simeone’s men.
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Robert Huth is suspended for the clash while Wes Morgan is in a race against time to be fit with a back injury.
That means Shakespeare is set to play Benalouane and midfielder Daniel Amartey in the heart of defensive for the clash against Atletico, which they trail 1-0 from the first leg.
Benalouane’s injury scare yesterday left Shakespeare facing up to the prospect of having no central defenders available for the clash, with Marcin Wasilewski not in the Foxes’ Champions League squad.
But Shakespeare, who was adamant his side did not have one eye on the encounter against Atletico despite letting a two-goal lead slip against Palace, insists Benalouane will be available for Tuesday night.
‘I'm assured it was just cramp,’ he said.
‘Cramp can turn into a pull, so it was just a precaution. He's walking at the moment.
‘We'll get it looked at. They're in tomorrow for a recovery session and we'll assess it then.’
On the likelihood of captain Morgan being available, Shakespeare added: ‘It looked better yesterday. He trained with the group for the whole session.
‘I hope he joins in with the rest of the group. It's a big ask for him because it's a difficult injury to get over, in terms of the power and spring for a centre-back.
‘But we'll give him every opportunity and, with the medical staff, we'll see what their feelings are and we'll make a decision.’
credit: Daily Mail