Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel faces up to six weeks out after breaking his hand

Foxes stopper is seeing a specialist after picking up injury in 0-0 Champions League draw with Copenhagen on Wednesday

LEICESTER goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel faces up to six weeks out after breaking his hand.

The Foxes stopper is seeing a specialist after picking up injury in 0-0 Champions League draw with FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night.

Schmeichel, 29, was the hero in the Danish capital when his last-gasp save from Andreas Cornelius’ point-blank header kept Claudio Ranieri‘s side on course for the knockout stages.

It was his FOURTH consecutive clean sheet in the competition – and led Ranieri to label the Dane the best goalkeeper in Europe.

But, incredibly, it has emerged that the Schmeichel fractured his hand during the FIRST-HALF of the clash, but still managed to keep the hosts at bay to help the Foxes claim a valuable point.

The Leicester squad are returning to the UK on Thursday and will further assess the injury.

A club statement confirmed: “Kasper Schmeichel is set for a spell on the sidelines after fracturing his hand in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League draw in Copenhagen.
“The Denmark international injured his right hand during the first half of the goalless draw at Parken Stadium and will see a specialist upon returning to the UK with the rest of the squad on Thursday.”

Schmeichel signed a new five-year deal with Premier League champions in August.

He was an ever-present during Leicester’s shock title win last season, keeping 15 clean sheets.

An extended spell on the sidelines will be a major blow to the Foxes’ domestic hopes following an up-and-down start to the campaign.

Germany international Ron-Robert Zieler, signed this summer from Bundesliga side Hannover, will stand in for Sunday’s clash with West Brom.

Schmeichel missed two Prem games earlier this season with a groin strain.