Rodgers Confirms Maddison, Fofana & Ünder Fitness

First Team
02 Jan 2021
1 Minute
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping to welcome back a trio of first team stars for his side’s trip to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Sunday 3 January (2:15pm GMT kick-off).

- Brendan Rodgers provides an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Newcastle United
- The condition of Wesley Fofana, James Maddison and Cengiz Ünder’s was discussed in Rodgers’ pre-match press conference
- All three players missed Monday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace

The Foxes were without Wesley Fofana, James Maddison and Cengiz Ünder for Monday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Defender Fofana and midfielder Maddison missed out due to the match coming too soon after the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Boxing Day, while Ünder has not featured in City’s last two matchday squads because of a hamstring problem.

“Wesley Fofana should be fine,” Rodgers told the media in his pre-match press conference. “It was just the close proximity of the games, he couldn’t play. We’re managing an issue with his knee.

The France Under-21s international has 17 appearances to his name for City this term.

“James, I think you probably saw in the Manchester United game, he wasn’t quite 100 per cent but he was pushing himself through.

“Again, because of the timeline of the games, he couldn’t be involved. He still had the soreness after the game.”

Cengiz Ünder last featured for City in their Premier League clash with Everton on 16 December.

Meanwhile, Turkey winger Ünder, on loan from AS Roma for the 2020/21 season, has made 12 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions this term, and will be assessed in the days building up to Sunday’s match.

“Cengo (Cengiz Ünder), we’ll see how he is in midweek,” added Rodgers. “He had an issue with his hamstring.

“That came back all clear, but he wasn’t able to be ready for the squad (vs. Crystal Palace), so hopefully, I’m pretty sure, at least two of those players will be ready for the weekend.”