Leicester City have received a timely injury boost with goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk in action for the first time this season.
The 23-old Pole, deputy to Mads Hermansen as City won the Championship last term, broke his foot in the second week of pre-season and has missed the campaign so far. But on Monday night, he played 90 minutes for the Under-21s in their 1-1 draw with Everton at Seagrave.
Stolarczyk has returned just as City might need him. Mads Hermansen managed just 45 minutes of Saturday’s thrashing by Newcastle and is having a groin injury assessed this week.
But now, should the number one not be available, Ruud van Nistelrooy will have another option to choose from. Last season, Stolarczyk was promoted above Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen by Enzo Maresca, playing nine games in all competitions and keeping six clean sheets.
Having been tipped for the top by Brendan Rodgers as he made his rise through the academy ranks, Stolarczyk won plaudits in loan spells at Dunfermline and Hartlepool before returning to City. Liked by Maresca because of his confidence to play the ball with his feet, Stolarczyk also showed off his excellent shot-stopping abilities during his outings last term.
Ward, who has been on the bench in the Premier League this season and played in cup outings, came on for Hermansen at St James’ Park and conceded three goals in 15 minutes. After his poor performances in the club’s relegation season, the Welshman still lacks the confidence of supporters.
Ninety minutes for Stolarczyk may be enough to see him considered ready for first-team action. It looked like he might keep a clean sheet on Monday until Omari Benjamin struck for Everton in the 83rd minute. But City provided a quick response, Harvey Godsmark-Ford heading in Logan Briggs’ 89th-minute corner for a share of the spoils.
It means City now sit 14th in the Premier League 2 table after 10 games, the midway point of the regular season. Clubs who finish in the top 16 will qualify for the end-of-season play-offs.
If Hermansen is ruled out for months, should City sign a new keeper or place their faith in Stolarczyk? Click HERE to have your say.