'It’s An Opportunity For Other Players' – Rodgers' Pre-Watford Fitness Update

- Leicester City entertain Watford in the Premier League on Sunday (2pm GMT kick-off)
- Manager Brendan Rodgers provided an update on several selection issues ahead of the game
- Youri Tielemans (calf) and Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) are likely to miss the encounter
- Their absences allows other players to shine in the XI, Rodgers says

Following the 3-1 success over Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, the Foxes head into the clash in confident mood, looking to climb the Premier League standings ahead of a hectic schedule which is to come during the month of December.

Rodgers confirmed earlier in the week that City are likely to be without Youri Tielemans and Ricardo Pereira for the early weeks of the coming month. Although naturally a blow, the Leicester manager says it purely offers opportunities to different members of his playing squad to get game time.

"We were always a collective anyway," he said. "Missing someone of [Tielemans'] quality and that precision in his pass, of course you miss that, and just his game knowledge. For us, it's about collectively getting back to our football, our game model. We did that [on Thursday] in a lot of ways.

"We just need to continue on that path. We’ve got other good players and it’s an opportunity for other players to play. We saw the likes of Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] coming into the game and he gets another exposure in European football. He’s building up his experiences.

"There’s no doubt you miss a player of that quality, but you always have to try and find the solution and try and fix it until he’s back."

James Maddison delivered an encouraging performance for the Foxes on Thursday and Rodgers was delighted with the contribution which Leicester's No.10 made against the Polish champions.

"I thought he was excellent, firstly in his pressing," Rodgers added. "He was aggressive getting up to the ball, counter pressing, which is something that, collectively, we have to do. We have to work harder than any team. If we don’t, it’s difficult for us. He worked very, very hard.

"Tactically, he was very good in the game, both with and without the ball. His goal was brilliant. Not too many players have that ability, that skill and that finish. I thought he was very good. He was obviously restricted a little bit with the knock he took.

"We just decided to take him off and make the change, but overall, I thought he was very good."

Centre-back Jonny Evans did not feature for City on Thursday, after a late selection change on Filbert Way, allowing Daniel Amartey to come into the XI. Rodgers expects Evans to return to contention for Sunday's Watford encounter, but also praised Amartey's performance for Leicester.

"He should be okay for the weekend," Rodgers explained. "He’s felt it from time to time over this last few weeks and he felt it in the warm-up. The last thing I want to do is lose another player to an injury. Daniel Amartey’s been playing exceptionally well and he’s come in and done a great job.

"Jonny should be, hopefully, okay for the weekend. [Amartey is] fast, he’s quick, he can pass the ball and I thought he was excellent.

"I thought both centre-backs were very good, I’ve got to say. Daniel, coming in at late notice, I just felt he could step into the game. He’s played games, so he’s up to speed and I thought he was excellent.

"Çağs (Çağlar Söyüncü), on the other side, was very good in his decision making and concentration and his use of the ball was very good."