BREN: DON’T FEAR, SCHMEICHEL’S NOT A FOX ON THE RUN

BRENDAN RODGERS is confident Kasper Schmeichel is not about to walk out on Leicester.

The Danish international is restored to the side for tonight’s match at Chelsea and has also been told he is in for the final game of the season at home to Southampton. The Premier League title and FA Cup-winning skipper has one year left on his contract and has held off talks until the end of the season. But Schmeichel, who is 36 later this year, has hinted that he could seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. Speculation intensified that Schmeichel’s future at the King Power could be drawing to a close when he was dropped for the 5-1 win over Watford last weekend. Rodgers (with Schmeichel, above) handed deputy Danny Ward his first league start since joining the club from Liverpool four years ago. But Rodgers insists he does not think fans will have to say their goodbyes come

Sunday’s final home game. He said: “I don’t think so. I think he’s very happy here. Naturally, he’s getting to the age where he sees the finishing line a little bit, but in my conversations with him, he’s very happy.

“He still has a year to go. It’s important for us and him that he’s in the best condition he can be in. We’ve seen with Wardy, there’s a challenge there, but no, I think he wants to be here.

“I think he wants to continue the fantastic career he’s had here. Kasper will play against Chelsea. I’ve told him he can play against Chelsea and Southampton.”

The Foxes manager is looking for a bright finish to see if the club can make eighth after a stop-start season and says if they do it can be seen as a success. Rodgers said: “This team has set a really high level over the past few years. But we have to get things in context. Everybody is talking about the season we have had and saying it’s disappointing but is that fair?

“With the challenges we’ve had, injuries and things, if we can finish in the top 10 having reached a European semi-final it could be seen as a great season.”