Leicester rocked by devastating injury as Martin confirms worst-case scenario

Leicester City defender Ben Nelson has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will miss the majority of the 2026/27 season.

Nelson suffered the injury in the first half of City's pre-season defeat to Genoa last week and was helped off the pitch by members of staff. The academy prospect had been ever-present under Russell Martin throughout pre-season and had captained the side throughout.

Martin confirmed the worst-case scenario in his pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of his first competitive match in charge as the Foxes face Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup first round. "Really disappointing with Ben," he said. "It's really sad for him and us. He’ll be out for the majority of the season. He ruptured his ACL.

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"He requires surgery next week. So now our job with Ben, who's an outstanding young player and young man, is to support him through that and to make sure he still feels part of it.

"I spoke to him this week already about it. He'll have a role to play at some point for sure, but we need to get his operation done and then see what he wants to do and how he can help. There's many ways he can help because he's an intelligent young man.

"I'm really disappointed because he's a huge asset to this football club, on and off the pitch. We will miss him for sure. It's probably the only negative that we've had in pre-season and it's a big one."

Nelson is in the final year of his contract at the King Power Stadium and has been linked with a move away from the club. Borussia Monchengladbach and Torino have failed with bids, with it understood that City were desperate to keep him.

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