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Islam Slimani requires stitches after gruesome injury

Riyad Mahrez & Islam Slimani of Leicester City Michael Regan/Getty Images

Algeria forward Islam Slimani required stitches after suffering a gruesome gash across his leg during Leicester City's preseason friendly with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The 29-year-old was replaced during the first half after suffering the injury in a collision with Wolves defender Roderick Miranda, and was duly replaced by Shinji Okazaki.

However, Foxes coach Mike Stowell is confident the striker can return for Leicester's next fixture.

"It was a very nasty cut," Stowell told journalists, as per the Leicester Mercury. "It was a freak accident and the blade of the boot has cut him right at the back of his knee.

"There was no way he was going back out there so he had to be stitched up in the dressing room."

The 2016 Premier League champions, who were defeated 1-0 by Championship Wolves, face another second-tier side - Burton Albion - away on Tuesday.

"Hopefully, he'll be back out there against Burton," Stowell added optimistically.

Slimani struggled to assert himself against the Old Gold before his early substitution, while Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi also delivered something of an underwhelming performance in the heart of the park.

To complete a disappointing day for Leicester, Riyad Mahrez was a muted presence as rumours of his imminent departure persist.

Algeria's Slimani scored seven goals in 23 Premier League outings last term after moving to the King Power Stadium for a club record £29 million in August.