RODGERS: PLAYERS WITH ME

BRENDAN Rodgers insists Leicester’s players have no issue with his public criticism of them, saying: “It’s elite sport, It’s not always rosy in the garden.”

He was critical of his team after they surrendered the lead to draw 2-2 with Brighton last week.

But, speaking ahead of today’s FA Cup clash against Walsall, Rodgers (above) was adamant his players can take the criticism.

Clear

The Foxes boss said: “The players know I’m with them. They and I have been here long enough — and they have improved their contracts and lives.

“Sometimes you have to be harsh to be clear. I demand that every single day in training they come in to improve.

“It’s not a case where I say that and the players are flat and lack confidence. It’s a demand, a standard. We’re at the elite level of sport. It’s not all rosy in the garden all the time.

“I don’t have to get the players to read something — I can tell them to their face.”

“On the first day of pre-season we did a 2km run,” he said.

“The circulation in my legs stopped working properly during the run and I began to feel dizzy.

“I finished the run and I collapsed on the line and I think people thought I was joking or I wasn’t fit.

“But after half an hour I was still on the floor.”

Ambulance

He added: “An ambulance was called and I went to hospital and got discharged with what they thought was a sprained shin.

“They told me to rest it for three weeks but the club arranged an MRI and it showed I had acute compartment syndrome.

“The muscle was so tight there was no blood circulation in my left leg.

“They had to do an insertion from my knee to my ankle to release the pressure.

“My toes and the side of my shin are still numb but I am able to play.

“But I didn’t know whether I was going to be able to walk or even have my leg.”

Three operations in five days were required to stave off the danger.

Gordon has since returned to action and made 17 appearances for Michael Flynn’s League Two side, who host Leicester in the fourth round this lunchtime.

Impressive

His return has helped Walsall enjoy an impressive run of just one defeat in 13 games in all competitions to climb the table, four points off the play-off places.

Gordon said: “It is hard to forget what has happened but I appreciate every moment now.

“I relish every game – especially this Leicester game because I have never got past the first round before.

“We don’t fear any team. No opponent fazes us no matter how high they are.”