Leicester City could soon welcome back one of their most commanding defenders, with reports indicating that Australian centre-back Harry Souttar is edging closer to a long-awaited return to full fitness.
Souttar, who suffered a serious Achilles tendon rupture while on loan at Sheffield United on Boxing Day 2024, has been out of action for nearly a year.
The injury came as a major blow to both the player and Leicester, as the towering defender was beginning to find form and consistency before being sidelined.
Now, the 26-year-old appears to be on the brink of making his comeback. According to fresh reports, Souttar is due to resume training with Leicester City by next month, marking a significant milestone in his recovery process.
“City also have Harry Souttar coming back from injury, with the Australia international due to return to training by next month.”
The news will be warmly received by Foxes fans and staff alike, with Leicester currently enduring a mixed run of form in the Championship.
Having a player of Souttar’s physical presence and aerial dominance available again could provide a timely boost for manager Marti Cifuentes, who has been working to steady the team’s defensive performances in recent weeks.
Souttar, who stands at 6ft 6in, joined Leicester from Stoke City in January 2023 for a fee reported to be around £15 million. He quickly became a fan favourite for his no-nonsense defending and commanding presence at the back. However, a lack of consistent opportunities under former boss Enzo Maresca led to his loan spell at Sheffield United, which unfortunately ended in injury.
Since then, Souttar has focused on his rehabilitation, with both Leicester and the Australian national team monitoring his progress closely. His potential return next month not only raises hopes of bolstering Leicester’s defence but also provides encouragement for Australia ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Cifuentes will no doubt be cautious in reintroducing Souttar to first-team action, given the seriousness of an Achilles injury. Still, his return to training will be viewed as a huge step forward after such a long absence.
Leicester have lacked stability at the back for much of the season, with several defensive partnerships failing to fully convince. Souttar’s return could therefore arrive at the perfect moment as the Foxes look to climb back into the Championship promotion race and put recent struggles behind them.
After months of hard work and patience, Harry Souttar’s road to recovery is nearing its end—and Leicester City may soon benefit from having their giant defender back where he belongs: in the heart of the backline.