Rodgers: Foxes can cope with the loss of Vardy and Ndidi
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is confident his squad is strong enough to cope with the absences of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi.
Both players are set to be out for around another two weeks, during which time the Foxes will play four Premier League matches, including hosting Liverpool at the King Power Stadium, and their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Brighton.
Rodgers said Vardy is progressing well and “on schedule” following his hernia operation. The club’s top goalscorer underwent surgery last week, having been battling the problem for months.
He is expected to resume training next week and a potential return date, possibly the Liverpool game on February 13, will be discussed. Rodgers also revealed that midfielder Ndidi suffered a slight hamstring tear during the draw at Everton in midweek, meaning he too is set for a short spell on the sidelines.
“It’s the same test as we’ve had all season when we’ve had players missing,” said Rodgers. “We’ve managed to get really good results over the course of the season.
“We have had important players missing, but we trust the squad. You will miss someone of Jamie’s ability. He would help any team. I thought Ayo (Ayoze Perez) did very well and we’ve got Kel (Kelechi Iheanacho) there as well who can come in.”
Leicester’s first test without both Vardy and Ndidi comes today against Leeds at the King Power Stadium.
Rodgers has been impressed with Leeds since their promotion and he sang their praises ahead of the match.
“They’ve been outstanding,” said Rodgers. “I’m a huge admirer of the coach. Marcelo Bielsa’s teams always play an exciting brand of football, and it’s a style you don’t usually see in the Premier League.
“They want to attack, they play without any fear. That’s got them some good results, and some games where they have lost heavily.
“They have great integrity in the game. I’ve enjoyed watching them and preparing to play against them.”
Bielsa insists the path to meaningful progress is a long one, but the Leeds head coach echoed comments made by majority owner Andrea Radrizzani that Leicester have provided the ideal template to follow.
Radrizzani said in an interview with The Times earlier this week, following significant investment into Leeds by the San Francisco 49ers, that he is inspired by Leicester, who as recently as 2014 were in the Championship.
Bielsa has steered Leeds into the topflight this season after a 16-year absence and he has welcomed Radrizzani’s investment into the club, believing they are now well-placed to copy Leicester’s blueprint for success.
“The owner has put the interests of the club ahead of his commercial and financial interests,” Bielsa said. “He has invested a lot of money in a lot of things that could have been ignored.
“He has made important changes, in the infrastructure he’s made important contributions and those investments they’re not for the short term, they’re more for the long term.
“To observe a club like Leicester who invested £100 million in a new training centre is very interesting and I’m happy the president of Leeds sees them as a reference.”