With Jordan Ayew nor Patson Daka in the best of form, there have been calls for somebody new to be given a chance leading the line for Leicester City during the run-in
Patson Daka applauds the Leicester City fans after the goalless draw at Watford(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Patson Daka and Jordan Ayew will be trusted to lead the Leicester City line for the remainder of the season with Gary Rowett ruling out experiments for the high-pressure run-in.
Daka and Ayew have both been the subject of City fan frustration this season, with neither able to score consistently.
Daka has three goals in the Championship and, on his last outing at Watford, saw a penalty saved and then put a free header wide from a few yards out.
Ayew has five Championship goals but is yet to net under Rowett, and, of late, has been booed by City’s own supporters when his name has been read out or when he’s come on as a substitute.
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Fans have been hoping that the lack of form of the two strikers would see Rowett either turn to free-scoring teenage prodigy Lorenz Hutchinson, who was on target for England Under-18s over the international break, or try Divine Mukasa or Dujuan Richards up front.
But with City’s Championship future on the line, Rowett is in no mood to experiment, and will be focused on getting the most out of Ayew and Daka.
“These are things you look at and we have quite a few young forwards in and around the club,” Rowett said. “But we have two very experienced forwards.
“Of course you look at different areas and different profiles, but the reality is that in the desperation for goals, I’m not going to stick someone up there who’s never played as a striker before. The reality is I don’t think that’s going to work.
“It’s a case of encouraging Pato and Jordan, the two experienced members of the squad. Jordan scored a fantastic goal for Ghana and Pato scored a great goal for us against Ipswich.
“It’s about giving them the environment, platform and support to go and be the best they can.
“At this stage, I don’t think there’s a magic recipe. If there was someone that was going to score lots and lots of goals, they’d be put in. There’s no manager that wouldn’t do that.
“It’s something we need to improve as it’s something that could define our season. We need to keep working on solutions.”
With Daka returning from international duty late, Ayew could be the man to start against Preston on Friday.
City’s top scorer this season, midfielder Jordan James, will also be assessed after his injury with Wales, and may struggle to start the match.
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