RODGERS: CAN’T RELY ON IRREPLACEABLE VARDY
BRENDAN RODGERS has warned that Leicester will soon not be able to rely on ‘irreplaceable’ Jamie Vardy as they have throughout his career. Speaking for the first time in detail about the 34-year-old’s evolving role in his squad, Rodgers revealed Leicester will look to add a player with Vardy’s characteristics in the summer — and Sportsmail revealed on Thursday that they are confident in winning the race for Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard. ‘That time comes to all players, not just Jamie,’ said Rodgers. ‘He’s been an incredible servant for the club. ‘Our idea in the summer is to strengthen the squad again. Jamie is irreplaceable.’
WILLIE STEWART, the neuropathologist whose groundbreaking research uncovered a harrowing link between football and brain disease, is to give evidence to the parliamentary inquiry into concussion and sport. Dr Stewart’s ongoing FIELD study found former players were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative diseases than the general public, and he will sit before MPs at the first of two sessions on Tuesday. Heads of research from a number of charities, including the Alzheimer’s Society, will also be questioned.
RALPH HASENHUTTL retains the full backing of Southampton’s board despite overseeing their worst ever Premier League run. Club chiefs remain firmly behind Hasenhuttl ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United after going nine top-flight games without a win. The sequence of results, which includes six losses in a row, has seen Southampton slide down to 14th — seven points above the drop zone. The club’s hierarchy are confident it is only a matter of time before the Saints’ fortunes turn around.