MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 00:25:53| >> :600:188327:188327:

Brendan Rodgers eyes attacking reinforcements in the summer

Brendan Rodgers eyes attacking reinforcements in the summer
© Reuters
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."

ID:433407: cacheID:433407:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4818:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates winning a penalty shootout against Liverpool in the EFL Cup in October 2020
Read Next:
Arsenal 'agree to loan Maitland-Niles to West Brom'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!