‘I suspect the Spurs game will go ahead’

BRENDAN Rodgers is expecting Leicester City’s clash with Tottenham on Thursday to go ahead, despite Covid outbreaks at both clubs.

City had seven players missing for the trip to Napoli through Covid or illness, with Hamza Choudhury making it a group of eight for the win over Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Spurs have had their last two matches called off, their Europa Conference League tie with Rennes and a Premier League clash with Brighton, because Covid has hit their squad and staff.

However, with UEFA deciding that Spurs’ game with Rennes will not be played – when it was initially suggested it could take place this Thursday, with City’s match against Tottenham pushed back – Rodgers does not fear a postponement.

Asked if he’d had an indication the game wouldn’t go ahead, Rodgers said: “Not as of yet. Like today, with all of our issues, I was keen for us to play the (Newcastle) game.

“We’ve got a raft of players out but we’ve it’s an opportunity for other players, younger players, to get a chance.

“We’ll see how we are and how we recover over the next few days. I haven’t heard anything to say it’s not on.

“Obviously with the European decision as well, with Tottenham able to play, I suspect the game will go ahead. We haven’t been told anything otherwise.”

City will have one of their players back in Daniel Amartey, but there is also a focus on ensuring there are no more positive cases.

It was reported yesterday that Spurs had recorded more Covid cases, with a first-team player and youth platyers affected.

Manchester United are also battling a Covid outbreak and were last night in discussions with the Premier League over whether it was “safe” for tonight’s game at Brentford to go ahead.

Rodgers expects there will be more positive cases around the league during the winter.

He said: “The club have been brilliant in that way, all the way through the pandemic. It’s continual. The hygiene issues have been reinforced around wearing masks and safe distancing.