Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that his side's injury crisis has left them without five key stars ahead of Sunday's crucial meeting with Manchester United.
The game looks set to be a decisive fixture in the final top-four standings, with United and Leicester separated by two places and one point heading into the game. Defeat against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side would ensure Leicester finish outside the top four, despite having been outside contenders for the league title just a few months ago.
Man Utd❓ Chelsea❓ Leicester❓
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 24, 2020
????????? finale incoming ➡️ https://t.co/MDfFbniOFR pic.twitter.com/EmviGbYI6G
An injury crisis has contributed to Leicester's struggles as of late, with James Maddison (hip), Ben Chilwell (ankle), Christian Fuchs (hip), Daniel Amartey (foot) and Ricardo Pereira (knee) all sidelined, and Rodgers confirmed (via Manchester Evening News) that the return of Marc Albrighton will be the only change to his squad.
"We’ve had a really good week," Rodgers said during his press conference. "The guys rested for a few days, which I think we needed. We’ve had a good week’s training. Our first free week. We arrive fresh into the game. It's be virtually the same squad. We’ll be ready.
"Albrighton is back. He'll have a late fitness test, but he should be back."
That's not even the extent of Leicester's struggles. The Foxes will also be without the suspended Çağlar Söyüncü, who picked up a foolish red card in the 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth to bring his season to an abrupt end.
It leaves Leicester at a major disadvantage, but Rodgers believes that there is more pressure on United to get a positive result on Sunday.
"There is a difference where we want to be in the Champions League, but when you’re a club like Manchester United, there’s a need to be in the Champions League," he added. "We want to be in it, but if we fall short, it’s still been a really good season."
A draw could be enough for both sides, but only if Chelsea fall to defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Frank Lampard's Blues need just one point to guarantee qualification, meaning Leicester will kick off in need of a victory to seal the remaining spot in the top four.
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Source : 90min