Kristiansen, Ricardo & More – Rodgers' Fitness Update

- Brendan Rodgers has provided an update on the fitness of his squad
- New Leicester City signing Victor Kristiansen could be in the squad this weekend
- The Foxes will face Walsall in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup
- Kristiansen was one of seven players to be discussed on Thursday

Kristiansen, a talented Danish full-back who joined from Copenhagen last week, will be evaluated before City take on the Sky Bet League 2 outfit at Bescot Stadium. Rodgers, speaking on Thursday, also provided an update on several others.

"We’re delighted to have [Kristiansen] in," the Foxes manager told the media in Seagrave. "He’s not just for now, but for the future of the Club as well. He’s behind a little bit, just purely because of the difference in seasons in Denmark.

"He’s about three weeks into a pre-season. He’s a little behind in terms of fitness, but he’ll be in the squad for the weekend and we’ll see what game time he can get."

There was also positive news for some of Leicester's returning players, with updates on Jonny Evans (calf), Dennis Praet (rib and hip), Wilfred Ndidi (muscle), Ayoze Pérez (muscle), Ricardo Pereira (Achilles) and Ryan Bertrand (knee).

"It’s going well [for Evans]," Rodgers added. "He’s out on the grass with the rehab team. Hopefully, over a week to 10 days, he’ll be close to joining the group again. Thankfully, [Praet's injury], it’s not as bad [as first feared].

"There’s was a lot of pain but no ligament damage. He trained well today. [Ndidi will] be out on the grass tomorrow (Friday). He won’t be available for the weekend but [we’ll approach it] with a view to joining the group next week.

"Ayoze is back in the squad again. He’s looked good in training. Some of the players are getting more training time and hopefully some minutes at the weekend.

"[Ricardo is] training well. It’s these early stages of him coming back, being with the group before we maybe stick him into an Under-21s game. He’s getting his movements again. He actually looks very good in training, so it’ll be great once he’s fit.

"[Bertrand has] been out for a long time. He’s been working with the Under-21s team at the moment. He’s working his way back into the first team squad.

"He’s been out for so long, and with the intensity of the first team group, we need to stage it, so he’s done very well."