Fofana suffers horror injury in Leicester's pre-season friendly with Villarreal

Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana has been taken to hospital after suffering a severe-looking injury in his side's pre-season friendly clash with Spanish side Villarreal on Wednesday evening.

The 20-year-old centre-back was caught by a crude challenge from Villarreal forward Fernando Nino in the second period, with Leicestershire Live reporting that the Frenchman suffered a broken ankle.

Fofana was treated on the pitch for five minutes after the challenge before he was taken off on a stretcher, with the 17,000 fans in attendance applauding his exit.

Should Fofana now face an extended spell on the sidelines ahead of the new season then the Foxes could be forced into the transfer market for a centre-back, particularly as veteran defender Jonny Evans is still nursing an injury of his own.

Fofana suffered the injury after a crude tackle ( Image:

Getty Images)

Leicester won the clash 3-2 at the King Power Stadium, with the match coming ahead of their Community Shield meeting with Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers is set to discuss Fofana's injury at his press conference on Thursday.

The clash served as Leicester's only home pre-season friendly of the summer, and featured a start for attacking midfielder James Maddison, who has been the subject of transfer interest from Arsenal.

The Gunners are said to be prepared to offer Leicester their choice of four players in a move for Maddison - Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock - but the Foxes would prefer a straight £60m cash deal if they are to sell.

Rodgers insists that they don't want to do that though, saying last week: "In conversations with the club, we don't have to sell. That's something that's been made clear," he said.

Fofana was taken to hospital with the injury

"The players want to stay. It's a really exciting time at the club.

"There's lots of gossip and speculation around but I'm loving working with the guys here, they love being here, and we certainly have no need to sell.

"So I would suspect we're looking to keep our best players."