Hamza faces fitness race for Singapore tie

Hamza Choudhury is facing a race against time to be fit for Bangladesh’s final AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore on March 31 after picking up a knee injury in Leicester City's Championship League match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The Bangladesh vice-captain was forced off barely half an hour into play and was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches with his right knee heavily braced, raising immediate concerns over his availability for the crucial international fixture.

Initial reports suggest that Choudhury has suffered damage to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. While surgery is not expected to be required, the midfielder is likely to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, a timeframe that puts his participation in the Singapore match in serious doubt.

Leicester City's interim manager Andy King indicated after the match that the injury was unlikely to heal quickly, adding to fears that Choudhury may struggle to recover in time. “Hamza has got a bad knee. He’s in a knee brace and on crutches. I don’t think it’s going to be a quick turnaround,” King said, confirming that the player is due to undergo scans early this week to determine the full extent of the damage.

For Bangladesh, the potential absence of Choudhury would be a significant blow. The 26-year-old has been a key figure in the midfield, providing leadership and defensive stability, and his experience at a high level has been central to the team’s recent progress.

Bangladesh are expected to play a friendly match away to Vietnam on March 26 on their way to Singapore.