If this means that Roy is going to promote Hughes we will be even further in the doo doo than we are now.
I feel really sorry for players who get these injuries though and wish him as quick a recovery as possible.

on paper we have a few options , but like you i'm worried.

The obvious choice is Hughes, but whilst he tries he is limited and lacks pace.

Ahamada is another option - and we must have seen something in him as we paid over £10m for him only 10 or so months ago.
Not sure he is the player to sit and hold though.

Jairo seems completely out of favour so i think we can discount him.

Potentially Schlupp could play centrally, but not my preference.

So for me it's a big ask but maybe young David Ozoh is ready to step up. It's his natural position. At a minimum i'd like to see him on the bench each week.

This has to mean a signing in January I'd have thought.

We are exposed without Doucoure and we don't have anyone who is capable of doing what he does.

I dont see why Richards couldn't step in for Doucoure, its a defensive role, playing facing the ball, reading the game defensively, and simple passing like Doucoure does, seems obvious to me.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

...and in his first game in that position Guehi limps off and then...no decent cover.

He reverts to CD, and hughes, Ozoh or Jairo come on, Simples

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn