Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana ruled out till 2022

Fofana signed a a five-year deal for Leicester City from St Etienne last October and was named its young player of the season.

File Photo: Wesley Fofana, who joined the Foxes from St Etienne won the FA Cup Pool last season with Rodgers' side.

Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana will undergo surgery on his broken leg and has been ruled out until 2022, manager Brendan Rodgers said.

Frenchman Fofana suffered a fractured fibula in a pre-season friendly against Europa League winners Villarreal earlier this week.

He received treatment on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher following a clash with Fernando Nino.

RELATED | Leicester defender Fofana injured in pre-season friendly

"Fofana has his operation on Monday and he won't play until 2022," Rodgers said after Saturday's Community Shield win over Manchester City.

"At what point that will be, we'll have to assess that in the next six months or so. In and around his medial ligament, there was a lot more damage there than we had hoped. The scan showed up it was quite substantial damage there."

"He'll have his operation, and then he'll be back in the training ground on Thursday, Friday next week and begin his rehab then," added Rodgers.

Leicester signed Fofana on a five-year deal from St Etienne last October for a reported fee of some 30 million pounds ($41.61 million) and the club went on to finish fifth in the Premier League as he was named its young player of the season.

The Foxes, which defeated City 1-0 on Saturday, will be seeking a centre back following Fofana's injury, with Jonny Evans out with a foot injury.

It opens its 2021-22 season at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14.