Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes has reassured fans that Abdul Fatawu Issahaku will be in peak condition when the Foxes resume Championship duty against Oxford United next weekend.

The Ghanaian winger was excused from Black Stars duty during the September international break after consultations between Leicester’s medical staff and the Ghana FA.

Fatawu only recently returned from an eight-month layoff following an ACL injury sustained last November on international duty. With Ghana scheduled to play on an artificial pitch in Chad and concerns over fatigue, both parties agreed the 21-year-old should remain in England to continue his carefully managed recovery.

“We are trying to protect him. He is still coming back from this injury. The international break will be very good for him,” Cifuentes explained.

“Since I arrived here, the progress on the minutes he’s playing and the way we are managing the training, he’s getting better and better. When we are back, I’m sure he’s going to be in an optimal condition.”

Fatawu caused some alarm when he was substituted during Leicester’s 2-0 victory over Birmingham City last Friday, but the club confirmed he had only suffered cramp. He was later spotted celebrating with teammates at full-time.

Elsewhere, right-back Hamza Choudhury is a doubt for the Oxford clash after Bangladesh reported he had sustained a knock during international duty.

On a brighter note, forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid has returned to full training and could make his first appearance under Cifuentes.

However, long-term absentees Victor Kristiansen (knee) and Harry Souttar (Achilles) remain sidelined, though Souttar is expected back in training by November.