Rodgers: Maddison & Morgan Progressing Well

- Brendan Rodgers provides a fitness update on his Leicester City squad
- The Foxes welcome Burnley to King Power Stadium on Sunday night (7pm kick-off) 
- Midfielder James Maddison (hip) and Wes Morgan (hamstring) continue to train with the squad
- Full-back Ricardo Pereira (ACL) could be available in late October, Rodgers also confirmed

Maddison returned from a hip injury during the second half of City’s 3-0 opening day victory at the Hawthorns, while Club captain Morgan is recovering from a hamstring complaint.

Both players are now another week along on their pathway to full match fitness and Rodgers has been delighted by their progress at Belvoir Drive over the past seven days.

“James and Wes have been training with the squad all week,” the Northern Irishman said on Friday afternoon. “It’s another week further on for them, so that’s great news.”

On Maddison specifically, he added: “He was out for a long time, James. It's going to be a really, really long season for us. We don't have to rush anyone back. We've got a good squad of players, we're hoping to add to that.

“Certainly, the players we have, we can't afford to be risking any injury, if they're not ready, so he's been progressing really, really well and we'll assess that over the next 24 hours.

“If he doesn't start, we have a midweek game, and as we know, we've got a run of games now which sees us through to Christmas, so there will be plenty of football for all the players.”

Ricardo Pereira (ACL), meanwhile, is continuing his rehabilitation with the Club’s medical team, but is likely not to be available for at least another month for the Foxes.

“Ricardo’s still a period away,” Rodgers explained. “You’re looking to the end of October for him, but he’s made great strides.

“He’s been working tirelessly in the gym, but he’s still quite a while away from playing.” 

Elsewhere, Leicester’s double goalscorer at West Brom last Sunday, Jamie Vardy, appeared to fall awkwardly in the latter moments, but City’s manager has confirmed he’s available.

“It looked a sore one at the time, but he’s training this week and looked sharp,” he said.

With the Foxes set to compete in the UEFA Europa League this season – alongside commitments in the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup – Rodgers admits it will be a challenge to keep his squad in peak condition, but stressed it’s a test they’ll embrace.

“It’s a huge test, but that’s the test we want,” the 47-year-old added. “We’re trying to build a robust squad for that. It’s going to be great a experience ahead for the squad. It’ll be a demanding season, but one we’re really excited for. There’s going to be a real demand on everyone to ensure they’re physically fit, but that’s what we wanted.”

All times BST.