Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel suffered a broken metatarsal during training and has been ruled out for at least one month. While manager Nigel Pearson was optimistic of the initial diagnosis, he added that it was possible the Danish international could be sidelined for longer than one month.

“Kasper is having an operation on a metatarsal that has broken this morning,” Pearson told the media. “There was no contact, it’s very unfortunate and clearly the lad’s distressed about it.”

“He will be a big miss for us but what you have to do is deal with it. I’ve got an idea [how long he will be out] – hopefully he’ll have the operation tomorrow, optimistic view is four to six weeks.”

The 27-year-old goalkeeper, son of former Danish international and Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel, has been one the bright spots for the Foxes during the club’s first season back in the English top flight. The younger Schmeichel has started fourteen of Leicester‘s fifteen Premier League matches, making 48 saves and keeping one clean sheet.

Pearson admitted that Leicester may be forced to dip into the transfer market in January to pick up another goalkeeper. Backup Ben Hamer is set to start against Manchester City this weekend at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester City are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table with ten points after fifteen games.