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  1. Panel unanimously back non-yellow decision for Calafioripublished at 19:52 3 October

    Calafiori and Buonanotte collide in mid air as they duel for the ballImage source, Getty Images

    The Key Match Incidents panel was unanimous in its backing of referee Samuel Barrott's call not to award a second yellow card to Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori against Leicester City.

    The Italian was booked in the 49th minute of the game but escaped further punishment in the 70th minute for a tackle on Foxes loanee Facundo Buonanotte.

    The panel wrote: "It's a careless challenge, not reckless. It doesn't stop a promising attack as [Thomas] Partey is right there covering."

    The KMI panel, made up of five members, includes three ex-players and managers.

  2. Leicester midfielder Choudhury suffers dislocated shoulder published at 17:45 3 October

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Hamza Choudhury, who is running while wearing a Leicester shirt, suffered a dislocated shoulder in training with Leicester.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Midfielder Hamza Choudhury is set for a spell on the sidelines

    Midfielder Hamza Choudhury has been ruled out for Leicester with a dislocated shoulder.

    The 27-year-old suffered the injury in training, with boss Steve Cooper unsure how long he will be sidelined for.

    "It’s definitely quite a significant injury to dislocate your shoulder. Fingers crossed it's not as severe as it can be," he said.

    "It was an innocuous situation. We're still working out how long he will be out because it's still settling down. Weeks or months, we're not sure yet.

    "It was a normal duel, no foul. Unfortunately his shoulder ended up on the wrong side of an awkward position.

    "I respect his journey and becoming the player and man he is. He is a popular guy. It's always important to have players who have come through the ranks at any club."

    The former England Under-21 international is definitely out of Saturday's visit of Bournemouth, with the Foxes still looking for their first league win of the season.

    They are 17th in the table and one of five winless clubs.

    Cooper said: "It's the challenge for me, the players and the staff. We want to thrive in this moment. There's nothing better than coming through a difficult time. When you do you are in a much better place.

    "It's not always easy to take but there's also an awareness some really important learning takes place.

    "That's what I keep saying to the players. What an opportunity we have to get through this little spell, come through the other side and allow us to kick on."

  3. Cooper on Choudhury injury, ambitions and facing criticismpublished at 15:53 3 October

    Millie Sian
    BBC Sport journalist

    Leicester City boss Steve Cooper has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (15:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Hamza Choudhury has dislocated his shoulder in training. The club are still working out the extent of the injury, but he expects the midfielder to be out for "a little while".

    • Meanwhile, Jannik Vestergaard has returned to training after recovering from an ankle problem. A few players - who Cooper did not name - have picked up knocks but he hopes they will be available for this weekend.

    • The Foxes "need a result" before the international break, after failing to pick up a win in their first six Premier League games: "That is what we want. We are in a world where results dictate so many things. We really want to get the right result going into the international break."

    • He emphasised the "present ambition" at the club, adding that "mentality is key" in their current situation: "In Premier League football, there is always an opportunity. For us now, that opportunity is to get our first win, get some good results and climb up the table."

    • Cooper added he is "desperate" for the supporters to see the team "win and play well in the process", but accepted it is his "responsibility" to make that happen.

    • He emphasised criticism motivates him after coming under fire from some Leicester fans: "I certainly don't hide away from it. I will always make sure I'm more visible, more vocal and more upfront than maybe when things are going well. I think that is the role of a leader and a manager, so that is what I want to be."

    • He sent a message to the supporters that will be at King Power Stadium this weekend: "It's about continuing to get behind the team, as they already have done. Any criticism has come towards me, not the players, and that is how I would prefer it. The atmosphere really pulled us through against Tottenham and Everton, so we need that because I really saw the players respond to it."

    • On what he expects from Andoni Iraola's side: "They have dangerous players at the top end of the pitch and a clear way of playing. We are ready for a very energetic team, which is what they are. They are clear in how they play and very dangerous with it."

    • On Bournemouth's form last season, after it took them 10 games to get their first league win and they still went on to finish 12th: "Unless you're finishing seventh, eighth or above, everybody goes through a spell of not getting a lot of points. If ours is now, I hope it is coming to an end. We have got to look forward and look positively, with motivation and ambition."

    Follow all of Thursday's news conferences

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  4. 🎧 Are Leicester missing leadership?published at 15:03 1 October

    Leicester City team huddle ahead of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates StadiumImage source, Getty Images

    Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper believes the Foxes are lacking leadership in their defence and it has been something they have "missed for some time".

    Speaking on the latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Piper said: "I've played with players that just shout things and you think 'has he he helped me or helped anyone with what he's saying? No.'

    "You get players that just say things at certain times to appear talkative on the pitch, but are they actually leading? Are they giving players advice, support and guidance while they're out there? That's what I think we do lack."

    Matt from the US Foxes Podcast added: "It just opens up that Ricardo [Pereira] debate again - if only we had a player that was our defender of the year and experienced.

    "You've got to wonder what's going on there - it's crying out [for him]. The defensive issues are so glaring. Something's got to change."

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

  5. 'Now or never' for Cooperpublished at 12:42 1 October

    Kate Blakemore
    Fan writer

    Leicester City fan's voice banner
    Leicester Head Coach Steve Cooper watches on versus ArsenalImage source, Getty Images

    That James Justin rocket will live long in the memory. A perfectly executed strike that saw us draw level with one of the slickest teams in Europe. I waited for the inevitable late heartbreak and it arrived, bang on time.

    Six games to start without a win is certainly relegation form and the dress rehearsal is now over for Steve Cooper. The next four matches against Bournemouth, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich are potentially season-defining.

    Poor discipline and application have featured in these early games, alongside an arguably overly cautious approach to winnable games and questionable timings of substitutions. For example, injury-time substitutions against Arsenal disrupted our focus and the new players had no time to adjust to the pace of play and danger areas. We know how that ended.

    Football is full of fine margins and I do feel a few tweaks and better decision-making both on and off the field could determine how high (or low) we sit in the table.

    The Foxes must take it to the Cherries next weekend and Cooper needs to show flexibility between his tactics at home against those away, particularly given the continual conundrum of the midfield.

    Over those six games, there have been periods of good play, worthy of winning football matches. If Cooper and the players can produce these over a full 90 minutes, then the next four games will yield positive results.

    There is almost an undertone that we are better than Cooper believes we are. Have a little faith, take a few risks with attacking players, especially at home.

    October is now or never for Steve Cooper - else it will be curtains for him in the fanbase.

    Find more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die, external

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  6. 🎧 Defensive frailties published at 11:20 1 October

    When You're Smiling podcast graphic

    The latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast has landed. Foxes' Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen gives his views on their loss to Arsenal.

    Owynn Palmer-Atkin and former Leicester winger Matt Piper debate the latest goings on, with defensive frailties proving a hot topic.

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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