Rodgers: Maddison & Dewsbury-Hall Nearing Returns
- James Maddison and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are progressing well, says Brendan Rodgers
- The duo will be assessed before Saturday's visit of Brighton & Hove Albion
- There's also news on Dennis Praet and Ayoze Pérez
- City host the Seagulls in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday
The Foxes welcome Brighton to King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday. Maddison (knee) has not featured since the FIFA World Cup break, while Dewsbury-Hall (glute) was injured at the end of January.
"James Maddison is doing very well so we're hoping he can be involved in the squad at the weekend," Rodgers told the media on Thursday. "He would hopefully be in the squad.
"We need to manage that game time consciously because it’s been a long time since he actually played and he’s not trained so much. He’s worked so hard behind the scenes. Just seeing him on the training pitch, he’s such a gift for us to have as a player.
"The difference he makes for us, the confidence he gives other players… that’s when you know you have an outstanding player. He makes others better. He’s ticking the boxes on the fitness front. He’s looked so, so good, with quality and determination.
"We’re hoping tomorrow he comes through the last session okay and then it’s just picking the right moments to put him in.
"Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has also been back training so he should be available for the weekend as well."
Dennis Praet (rib and hip) appeared from the bench in last weekend's 2-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. Both he and Ayoze Pérez (muscle) will also be monitored by the Club's medical team over the coming weeks.
"Dennis has trained this week, so he should hopefully come into the squad," Rodgers added. "He came on against Nottingham Forest so he should be fine. Ayo we just have to wait and see. If not this weekend, he'll be fine for next weekend.
"He felt an awareness of his muscle. It’s a muscle issue. He’s been out on the training field and we think he could be involved at the weekend, but it might be too much of a risk. He’d been in three games in quick succession.
"He’s a good healer so he might be ready for the weekend, but if not, he’ll be ready for the cup game."
Other injuries in the City squad include Boubakary Soumaré (hamstring), Jonny Evans (calf), James Justin (Achilles), Ricardo Pereira (Achilles) and Ryan Bertrand (knee).