Bertrand Available For Norwich, Says Rodgers

- Brendan Rodgers provides a pre-Norwich City fitness update
- The Leicester City manager says Ryan Bertrand could return at Carrow Road
- Rodgers also discusses Jannik Vestergaard (knee) and Jonny Evans (ankle)
- James Justin is making encouraging progress in recovery from an ACL injury

The former Southampton defender missed City's opening two games of the new campaign after testing positive for COVID-19 ahead of the opening-day victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but is now available to make his Premier League debut for the Club. 

Yannik Vestergaard, meanwhile, will be monitored by the medical staff in Seagrave after picking up a knee injury, while Rodgers also provided an update on Jonny Evans, who is continuing his recovery from an ankle issue suffered at the end of last term.

"Ryan is back and becomes available after the virus," Rodgers told the national media inside the King Power Centre at LCFC Training Ground on Thursday. "That’s great news for us and we’ll assess him over this next 24 hours, just to see where he’s at, in terms of game time.

"Apart from that, it’s pretty much the same really. Jannik won’t make it for the weekend. We’ll assess him and Jonny at some point when they’re back in training next week. Vestergaard is with the medical team and we’re hoping to get him out onto the [training] field next week.

"I don’t think there’s too many of the players that are 100 per cent. I just think it takes you a few games to get up to speed. Of course, when you’re down to 10 men for a large part of a game, it becomes that little bit more difficult.

"All players at all clubs at this stage of the season are edging towards their full fitness."

There was some positive news concerning the fitness of full-back James Justin, however, as Rodgers revealed the former England Under-21s international could return to training contention to feature at some stage in October. The 23-year-old suffered an ACL injury back in February.

"We’re looking at some point in October with a bit of luck," Rodgers explained. "He looks fantastic. He’s worked so well and the medical and sports science teams have been delighted with him. As you’d expect, he’s not missed an opportunity to work and get himself back.

"Of course, if we can get him back, that’ll be like a new signing because he’s such a talented player. He’s worked tirelessly. I’ve seen him in the gym and he looks very strong. He’s doing his strength work on his legs, so that will be great if we can get him back in October. It’ll be a huge boost."

Speaking more generally about the condition of his squad, Rodgers expressed his desire to get as many players fit and available for selection in order to ensure Leicester can compete on all fronts across the 2021/22 campaign.

"I’ve got a great group of players," the Northern Irishman added. "My only hope is that I can get this squad of players back as soon as we can because, when they’re all fit, we have a squad that can challenge in every competition.

"Through bad luck and injuries, of course, we haven’t got that, but the players we have will always give their best. I never want to complain about what we don’t have. We look to use the players that are available. They’re great guys and honest guys who will always do their best."