Steve Cooper receives boost from one of Leicester City’s international stars ahead of Southampton

Steve Cooper is currently working with a depleted Leicester City squad as 12 of his players are away on international duty.

   Leicester City began their crucial run of games with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth before the international break, easing some of the pressure mounting on Steve Cooper.

   Leicester host newly promoted Southampton before taking on rivals Nottingham Forest and promoted Ipswich Town.

   It’s no understatement to say that this run of games is likely to decide Cooper’s fate as Leicester manager, and will also have a huge impact on the Foxes’ chances of survival.

   So Cooper will be hoping Leicester’s international contingent return unscathed this week and has received a huge boost in that regard.

   Victor Kristiansen is making an early return to Leicester City

   Leicester have a trio of players representing Denmark for a fortnight.

   Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen acts as back-up to former Foxes stopper Kasper Schmeichel, while Jannik Vestergaard returns from injury in the defeat to Spain.

   Victor Kristiansen also started against Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and was booked, meaning he is suspended for the game against Switzerland on Tuesday night.

   That already meant he would be better rested going into the game against Southampton, but Cooper received a further boost as interim Denmark coach Lars Knudsen decided to leave Kristiansen’s camp early.

   Knudsen, who previously worked as goalkeeping coach at Leicester, said: “They (Kristiansen and fellow suspended player Morten Hjulmand) are going home, having a little rest and preparing for what awaits them at their clubs.

   “In a program where there are a lot of games and pressure, I think it’s good for them to take a mental break every now and then.

   “They probably have to deal with the physical, but mentally it’s really healthy if they take a breather. It’s good for them to take a breather.”

   Kristiansen key for Leicester City under Cooper

   Kristiansen has enjoyed a real renaissance at Leicester since Cooper took over as manager last summer.

   Enzo Maresca decided he didn’t like the left-back last summer and approved a one-year loan move to Bologna, but the Dane has started every Premier League game since Cooper arrived.

   The aggressive youngster will again be vital against Southampton and is a quarter of a very solid back four.

   Leicester kept their first clean sheet of the season against Bournemouth last time out and Kristiansen will be vital to their hopes of adding another against Saints.