RODGERS MADD FOR A JAMES CUP CALL

BRENDAN RODGERS has backed James Maddison to make a late push for a World Cup call-up.

The Leicester midfielder has enjoyed an impressive season with 17 goals plus 11 assists as he has recaptured his best form.

Maddison (above and below, with Rodgers) has been capped by Gareth Southgate in November 2019 but has fallen out of the England manager’s plans in the past two years because of competition and a drop in his own form.

But Rodgers praised Maddison’s attitude in coming to him earlier in the season, admitting he had fallen below his own standards but was determined to get back to his best.

The Leicester boss believes that was a turning point for Maddison who is now returning to the sort of form as a No.10 that got him an England call-up in the first place.

Rodgers said: “It’s all down to the player. What I’ve always tried to be with players is be clear, give them clarity on where they need to improve.

“He’s the type of boy that you can do that with.

He’s very honest. Some players.. you do that and they don’t speak to you for 10 years.

“But he’s a kid that you can tell him. He’s a young man now that’s maturing all the time.

“He was in a vulnerable place but he showed great courage to recognise that.

“It’s just about stripping back his game and getting fundamentally the work into his legs and focusing on that. Everything else comes with that with James because he’s so talented.

“I love watching him play – I really enjoy seeing him in games, take the ball, how he can manoeuvre past top players, the threat he has, the confidence he has.

“But he knew in my teams you have to run and you have to work.

“When you add that together for James Maddison, the intensity of the running and the work, you see how efficient he is.

“He’s one of the top English players of the last couple of seasons – it’s who Gareth prefers.

“But you can’t argue with his talent, his quality and how he’s maturing as a footballer.”