Leicester City have had a rough start to their season, but finally were able to get themselves off the mark in midweek with a promising victory over Plymouth Argyle.
However, the Foxes were unable to come out of that game unscathed, with first-choice goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk stretchered off the field just six minutes into the game after a collision with Ronan Curtis.
Martin Provides Latest Update
Veteran goalkeeper Alex McCarthy saw out the remainder of the game at the King Power, having been brought in this summer by Russell Martin to play as one of the backups to the Polish goalkeeper, alongside Franco Ravizzoli.
However, it is now looking ever more likely that the former will become the new first choice at Leicester, after the former Southampton boss admitted he was fearing the worst for Stolarczyk.
Speaking to Leicestershire Live following the Argyle victory, he said:
“Yeah he’s in a lot of pain. He looks [like] a really bad one. So we’ll hope for the best.
“Unfortunately, at the minute, we have to fear the worst. So fingers crossed [that] he feels better tomorrow when we scan it [and] it’s not too bad, but at the minute, it doesn’t look very good.”
“It’s his knee. Unfortunately the harsh reality of football. It’s really difficult [to follow game plan] when you’ve done a lot of work with the goalkeeper who’s meant to play and he comes off after a minute. So that changes things.”
Should Leicester Make Free Agent Swoop?
Depending on the severity of Jakub Stolarczyk’s injury, Leicester City may be going into the full season dangerously thin in terms of senior goalkeeping options.
The frustration is only compounded by the fact that the blow came just hours before the close of the summer transfer window, meaning that the Foxes were unable to react and try to recruit an ideal target if needed.
While it could have been an innocuous injury for the 25-year-old, all the signs are pointing to a long-term absence, and in that case, the club may want to delve into the free agency market to top them up until he returns to full fitness.
Could Joe Wildsmith Step Up For City?
A few options currently waiting for a new club do stand out as it stands, with perhaps the most logical choice being to bring back veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, having released him from his contract just months previously.
However, there could be a perfect choice in the form of Joe Wildsmith, with the 30-year-old waiting for a call after his release from West Bromwich Albion at the end of last season.
Having spent the second half of the previous campaign playing deputy to Sol Brynn at Middlesbrough, it has been a while since he has been able to play regular football, stepping up seven times for the Baggies across the festive period.
His spell at Derby County will be of more interest to Leicester, where he was a pivotal figure for Paul Warne’s side in both of their League One seasons, culminating in promotion in the 2023/24 season.
In that second campaign, he managed to keep 20 clean sheets for the Rams, and while outshone by both Lukas Jensen and Will Norris in the end-of-season awards, won the Golden Glove while also maintaining one of the best save percentages across any shot-stopper in the division.
At 30, he could become an ideal addition for the next few years, with Alex McCarthy now reaching the age where some would consider retirement, and, alongside Franco Ravizzoli, provide two experienced League One options as deputies once Stolarczyk returns.
