“I can see his freshness” – Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers gives Wilfred Ndidi assurances

The Nigeria international midfielder has been out of the first-team picture at Leicester City after a series of battles with injury

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has assured Wilfred Ndidi that the Nigerian midfielder remains a critical part of the first-team picture at the King Power Stadium.

Ndidi has been a consistent top performer for Leicester City since joining the Foxes from KRC Genk in 2017, rising in profile to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the game.

The 26-year-old made nothing less than 26 league appearances in each of his first four full seasons with Leicester City, including the 2018/19 campaign in which Ndidi featured in every single one of Leicester’s 38 Premier League games. Thirty-seven of those were in the starting eleven.

But injuries have limited his impact in recent times, with the tough tackler making only 19 appearances last term.

The Super Eagles ace has not fared any better this season, appearing in only ten of LCFC’s first 16 matches.

Ndidi has however been used as a late sub in Leicester City’s last three Premier League games against Everton, West Ham, and Newcastle United, raising concerns about his fitness and his importance to the Foxes.

What did Brendan Rodgers say about Wilfred Ndidi?

Irish manager, Brendan Rodgers, confessed he has talked with Ndidi, hinting that the midfielder’s inconsistent run in the team has been down to his injuries.

The former Liverpool coach believes though that the Nigerian is looking fitter and will return to play more for the Foxes in the new year.

“We’ve got a really busy schedule in January,” Rodgers said, as per Leicester Mercury.

“I had a sit-down with him and an honest conversation with him. He has struggled with injuries.

“It’s sometimes coming away from the team and working on the training field. I can see his freshness. There’s no doubt over the coming weeks he will get opportunities.”

Leicester suffered an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Newcastle on Boxing Day, ending a run of five games without a defeat.

Up next for the Foxes is a tough clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Friday, December 30.