Thailand, Matty James, injuries, 7th aim, recruitment and a break

Brendan Rodgers gave a pre-Burnley press conference on Thursday. He covered many subjects and was thoroughly informative, here is everything important.

Saturday’s fixture at Turf Moor may be a more difficult game than some expect for Leicester City. Burnley are currently sitting in 17th, rather precariously near to the Premier League relegation zone.

Brendan Rodgers has won one and drawn another in his two matches in charge of the Foxes. While the Clarets are suffering an awful run of late, losing three successively and conceding nine in the process.

On Thursday the Leicester boss gave a pre-Burnley press conference, he covered an array of subjects in one of the most informative pressers in recent times.

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First or all, this article from Leicester Mercury contains a statement from Rodgers on the cremation of late Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha:

"“I was made aware of that (Khun Vichai’s cremation). The international players will go away with their countries, and the remainder of the team will go away and travel for the funeral. So we’ll do that next week.”"

Everyone at Foxes of Leicester would like to again offer our condolences to the entire Srivaddhanaprabha family. Khun Vichai was an indisputably great man.

Leicester City team news

Matty James is not expected to return to the first team this season. The Englishman has suffered terrible with repeat, lengthy layoffs through injures. Most recent of which is an ankle problem.

James will possibly play in the development squad before the end of the campaign. He will prospectively endure a tough preseason to enable his complete return for 2019/20. Marc Albrighton and Daniel Amartey are Leicester’s only other unavailable players.

There is an international break following this weekend’s domestic contests. Hamza Choudhury had a surprise – although it’s not surprising to us – with his return England Under-21 call-up. He joins James Maddison, who is almost ready for the seniors. Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray at the Young Lions.

Ben Chilwell and Harry Maguire join the main England squad for European Qualifiers versus Czech Republic and Montenegro.

Lcfc.com quote the Northern Irishman’s  complimentary thoughts on Jamie Vardy:

"“From the outside, looking in, you saw him for what he was, which is a top-class goalscorer, who was the focal point of a title-winning team.“Everyone knows his journey, but it’s only really when you come in and you work with someone and you see them close up and you see the real value of them.“Because, as, a footballer, he’s tactically very, very good. He’s not just a boy that scores goals and runs forward, his ability to understand the game from a tactical perspective is very good.”– Brendan Rodgers"

In addition Leicester City confirmed the Friday departure of head of recruitment Eduardo Macia. Apparently Celtic transfer chief Lee Congerton is a speculated target for replacement by the Foxes. Yet this writer believes lauded former staff member and head scout Steve Walsh will hopefully reprise his role. His handiwork includes spotting Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante.

Most noteworthy from the mass interview was Rodgers stating that a 7th place premiership finish is doable and the aim of the club generally. Obviously next term is the scenario specifically mentioned for that ambition; although the gaffer didn’t rule it out for 2018/19.