Rodgers hails JJ as Ricardo ruled out until October
LEICESTER City manager Brendan Rodgers does not expect Ricardo Pereira to be available until October.
The right-back was ruled out for the season when he damaged knee ligaments in City’s final match before lockdown, and the manager’s latest diagnosis suggests the Portuguese international will also miss the start of next season, too, even if it is delayed.
On Saturday, James Justin started at right-back in place of Ricardo, and Rodgers was pleased with how the 22-year-old performed.
And with the reigning player of the season out for four more months yet, the position will be Justin’s for a while yet, giving Rodgers time to coach him into one of the Premier League’s best young stars.
“I thought JJ was very good,” Rodgers said in his post-match press conference after the 1-1 draw with Watford.
“He’s a fantastic young defender, stepped up from League One and spent a lot of season not playing.
“I cannot worry about missing Ricky. He won’t be back until October time.
“My job is to develop the players we have and I thought JJ from a defensive perspective, he made a great defensive interception toward the end of the first half. That is his strength.
“He’s only going to get better from the attacking side of his game.
“He is different to Ricky. He runs without the ball and can get in behind their defensive line.
It’s only his third Premier League start. I thought he did very, very well.” The draw at Vicarage Road was Justin’s ninth appearance for City in all competitions and was the first time he has not finished on the winning side.