Tottenham could turn to Ben Foster as emergency goalkeeping cover after Hugo Lloris was ruled out for up to eight weeks.
Spurs' World Cup-winning captain suffered knee ligament damage in Sunday's 1-0 win against Manchester City – a huge setback in the week before their Champions League last 16 tie with AC Milan.
Scans confirmed the club's worst fears, and although Lloris is not expected to need an operation, his absence will put Tottenham's ambitions in Europe, the FA Cup and pursuit of a top-four finish under strain. Experienced former England keeper Fraser Forster, signed by head coach Antonio Conte last summer, will step in to deputise at Leicester on Saturday.
But neither of Spurs' only other back-up options, 24-year-old prospects Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman, has made a senior appearance for the club.
And Foster, who retired last June when his contract with Watford expired, would be available as a free agent on a short-term deal.
Spurs would, however, need special dispensation from the Premier League to add Foster to their 25-man squad.
Capped 14 times by England, Foster was close to extending his career with a one-year contract at Newcastle five months ago, but he turned down the Toon and they signed former Liverpool keeper Loris Karius as Nick Pope's deputy instead.
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Lloris, 36, has endured an error-strewn season at club level, with high-profile mistakes against Newcastle, Arsenal and Aston Villa. His mistakes have led directly to four goals – more than any other top-flight keeper this season.
But he still reached a second World Cup final with France before announcing his retirement from international football last month.
And with 110 appearances in Europe alone for Lyon and Tottenham, he remains a valued member of Spurs' senior core group. His experience will be a huge miss in the San Siro at the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday night.
Forster, 34, has made just one Premier League appearance for Spurs to date after joining them on a free transfer from Southampton – the 2-2 draw at Brentford on Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, Conte – who missed the stirring 1-0 win against City, when Harry Kane overhauled Jimmy Greaves as the club's all-time record goalscorer – could be back in the dugout at the King Power this weekend.
The 53-year-old Italian is recovering after keyhole surgery to remove his gallbladder, and Tottenham will move back into the top four – if only for a couple of hours – if they beat Leicester.
