SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 3 hrs 30 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Brendan Rodgers eyes attacking reinforcements in the summer

:Headline: Brendan Rodgers eyes attacking reinforcements in the summer: ID:433407: from db_amp
Brendan Rodgers's Leicester have missed their 13-goal talisman in recent matches.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers will target a striker during the summer transfer window to provide back-up for Jamie Vardy.

The 34-year-old's absence has been keenly felt recently, with the Foxes earning only one point from the matches he has missed against Everton and Leeds.

Vardy is recovering after undergoing a hernia operation 10 days ago and his absence will continue when Rodgers' side play Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Ayoze Perez has been deputising while Vardy has been on the sidelines and Kelechi Iheanacho is also an option, but neither can truly fill the void left by the 13-goal top scorer.

Injuries to Dennis Praet and Wilfred Ndidi meant signing a midfielder was the priority during the winter transfer window, although that closed on Monday night without Leicester being able to get a deal over the line. But in the summer, Rodgers will turn his attentions to strengthening further up the pitch.

"Jamie is still, when he's fit and playing, up there with the best strikers in the league, but when you're playing the number of games we want to play and anticipate playing, then you need more than one," said the Foxes boss.

"We've got Kels (Kelechi Iheanacho) who has been a great support striker. He hasn't played so much and perhaps hasn't got the goals he would have wanted. But you always have to plan forward and that's something we look at here at the club, in every position, not just the striking position. It's constant, you always have to be planning forward and looking forward.

"We know Jamie's age. I still have great confidence in his fitness and his abilities but he can't do it all on his own. We respect that. That's something that will be continual over the next few months looking ahead to the summer market."

Leicester's luck with injuries is showing little signs of improving, with Timothy Castagne and Wesley Fofana added to the list as the fixtures begin to come thick and fast.

Both were forced off with hamstring issues during the home defeat to Leeds on Sunday and are doubts for the trip to Fulham.

"We'll cope with it," said Rodgers. "The players are looking forward to it, and myself and the coaches are looking forward to the challenge of it.

"We know it's going to be tough physically and mentally, but that's the test you want every day. We will relish it.

"We want the games. Playing in Europe has been brilliant for us, and with the FA Cup, it means we're succeeding, which is great. I would rather have that than playing once a week."

The Foxes, fourth in the Premier League table following the loss to Leeds, have the chance to keep themselves in the title race with victory at Fulham.

Rodgers said: "Our season has been defined by some of the setbacks we've had. Losing some games and then regrouping, pressing the reset, getting our confidence levels high and going into the next game – and I don't anticipate it being any different."

amp_article__433407 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-02-02 14:29:06:
html db last update - 2021-02-02 14:29:06 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jamie Vardy

Click here for more stories about Leicester City

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .