Leicester City are shipping goals and their vulnerability on the right side of defence has become a big talking point, with James Justin taking a lot of the flak

Leicester City’s vulnerability on the right flank needs a collective improvement with manager Steve Cooper refusing to single any players out.

The pattern of conceding from the right side has become a big talking point among supporters, with many criticising regular right-back James Justin. The 26-year-old has started there in every Premier League game bar one, last week’s loss to Nottingham Forest, but could switch back to his usual spot against Ipswich with Victor Kristiansen pushing for a return at left-back.

But for Cooper, there are lots of players involved in solving the issue, not just Justin. Indeed, there is a high workload for the England international when he is the advanced full-back, as he is expected to join the attack as a winger when City are in possession, but still be in position in defence when the opposition are breaking forward. At times, notably for the first goals conceded at Fulham and Southampton, he has been left outnumbered.

“If we’re talking about the right-hand side and conceding goals, I don’t think we should just talk about JJ,” Cooper said. “Obviously, he’s involved. But it’s not like he’s the only one who defends that side of the pitch. There’s centre-backs that play on that side, midfielders that play on that side, and even attacking players in front.

“We have got to try to cover the work, with and without the ball, for every position and every area of the pitch. That’s the challenge and job if you like. It’s a team thing.

“I’m sure next week there’ll be different topics that are positive and negative. We’ve just got to keep working collectively, keep believing in what we’re doing, and growing the way we want to grow.”

Cooper has a decision to make at full-back on Saturday. Kristiansen’s recovery from a groin issue will allow him to go back to his favoured pairing with the Dane on the left and Justin on the right. But fans may want to see Ricardo Pereira play again after the Portuguese made his first Premier League appearance of the season against Forest.

In the defeat to Forest, Cooper tweaked the set-up, with Ricardo inverting into midfield in a repeat of the tactic used by Enzo Maresca last season. If Ricardo is left out again, the system will revert to Cooper’s regular tactic of having one full-back push high and become a winger.

It would be a surprise if Justin was the man left out. After another full match at Manchester United in midweek, he’s now played more minutes than any other City player this season.