Foxes keeper Schmeichel goes for surgery
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has undergone surgery on the bone he fractured in his hand during the Champions League game at FC Copenhagen, boss Claudio Ranieri confirmed yesterday.
Schmeichel suffered the injury during the first half of Wednesday's goalless draw in Denmark, but managed to carry on and complete the match, making a couple of crucial late saves to deny Andreas Cornelius and earn his team a valuable point.
The 29-year-old saw a specialist on Leicester's return to England on Thursday and he had an operation to correct the damage that evening.
The initial diagnosis was that Schmeichel would be sidelined for between four and six weeks, but Ranieri did not want to put a timescale on his absence.
"I don't know everything but, last night, he had an operation and the surgeon said everything is okay. Now it depends on how long. Of course the hands, as for a boxer, are very important," said Ranieri.
"I don't put a deadline on it because every man is different. Maybe two, three, five, six, maybe seven weeks - I don't know."
Losing Schmeichel is a significant blow for Leicester. The Denmark international has been in impressive form this season and has been spoken about as one of the leading goalkeepers in the world.
Ranieri refused to get drawn into that debate, but acknowledged Schmeichel's ability before insisting he had full confidence in Ron-Robert Zieler, who will deputise in the Dane's absence, starting with the champions' game against West Brom at the King Power Stadium on Monday morning (Singapore time).
"I am very confident with Zieler, so it's okay. Of course, Kasper is great, but Zieler gives me confidence," said Ranieri.
Summer signing Zieler has played in the Premier League games against Swansea, Burnley and Manchester United this season, as well as the League Cup tie against Chelsea. Those appearances came while Schmeichel was recovering from a minor hernia operation. - PA Sport.
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