‘Losing Evans is a big blow but we have coped before’

JONNY Evans’ suspension is a “huge blow” to Leicester City but Brendan Rodgers knows his side can cope without their defensive organiser, writes Jordan Blackwell.

Centre-back Evans picked up his fifth booking of the season in just his ninth Premier League outing on Sunday evening, the one sour note as City beat Brighton 3-0 to move to within a point of top spot.

Now City have to reshuffle their defence when they host Everton tomorrow night.

However, City have already played three games without Evans this season – against West Brom and Burnley in the first two games of the campaign – when he was suspended following a red card at the end of last term, and then the trip to Elland Road when he was out with a back injury.

Rodgers’ men won all three of those fixtures.

“It’s a huge blow when he (Evans) doesn’t play,” Rodgers said on Sunday night.

“But we’ll have to cope with that like we have done throughout the season with the other players. It’s a shame he misses the game.”

The best-case scenario for City is that Caglar Soyuncu is fit to return, and he can slot in as a straight swap.

However, City may be cautious over the Turk after he hurt his groin 15 minutes into his comeback game 10 days ago.

Timothy Castagne is also pushing for a return from a hamstring injury, and he could come in as a wingback, pushing James Justin inside to the back three with Wesley Fofana and Christian Fuchs.

Luke Thomas could also return to the fold to form the same back five that won 4-1 at Leeds.

Alternatively, Wes Morgan could make his first Premier League start of the season, or Wilfred Ndidi could drop in at centre-back as he did for the first two fixtures of the campaign, with Papy Mendy then lining up in defensive midfield.