Wout Faes has left Leicester City to join Monaco on loan(Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Harry Souttar’s fitness could determine if Leicester City sign a new centre-back this January transfer window.

Wout Faes has departed the club for Monaco on loan this week, leaving Marti Cifuentes with three fit senior central defenders to choose from in Ben Nelson, Jannik Vestergaard and Caleb Okoli.

If Souttar was fit and available, then Cifuentes would feel satisfied with his options, but the Australia international is recovering from a minor surgery which has extended the recovery from his Achilles tear to more than 13 months.

If City feel Souttar can reach a point where he can contribute this season, then a new centre-back won’t be required. But if not, the club may need to dip into the market.

“It’s a possibility,” Cifuentes said at his press conference on Thursday afternoon. “It all depends. When you have four centre-halves who are fit, it’s a good number.

“We know as well that Bade (Aluko) can play there as well. We’ve got players as well from the academy that could eventually help.

“It’s something we’re assessing. The...