BREAKING: Leicester City press conference: team updates, injury news, opinion

Here’s all the latest from Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City press conference on Wednesday, which precedes the Newcastle United game on Friday.

A seventh place finish is now in the cross hairs for Leicester City and new boss Brendan Rodgers, following four wins in five outings. Incredibly the Foxes have netted 11 in those four consecutive victories; seeing off Bournemouth, Huddersfield Town, Fulham and Burnley in the process.

Leicester’s manager seems to have galvanised the squad’s elite collective skill by mere appointment, cemented by his appearance and approach to football. Something former Foxes gaffer Claude Puel failed to do during his tenure.

Whilst there are still positive elements of the Frenchman’s ethos involved, like youth promotion. The counter attack has been embraced and the possession play made swifter with a more forward thinking midfield duo of James Maddison as well as Youri Tielemans; backed by the reinvigorated Wilfred Ndidi, making a trio of sorts.

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Lcfc.com give us the injury headlines from today’s presser:

"Brendan Rodgers on Jamie Vardy’s problem:“He’s absolutely fine. He felt a slight niggle in his groin at the end of the game.“Rather than risk it we took him off, but he’s fine and as sharp as normal. He’ll be fine for Friday.”On Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans:“Harry is back in the squad and Evans has trained with the squad this week.”On Dan Amartey, Marc Albrighton:“Daniel is obviously with the medical and sports science team so we’ll see how that goes between now and the end of the season.“Marc has been training as well over the last week or so, so that’s very, very good.”"

These revelations lead Foxes of Leicester to deduce Maguire and Evans will make the starting XI in the Foxes’ next outing as a pairing. The Englishman and Northern Irishman together in a 4-1-4-1 formation means captain Wes Morgan will miss out. Along with the impressive Caglar Soyuncu, who’ll possibly be omitted from the squad entirely.

While Leicester Mercury reveal everything else noteworthy from Rodgers’ pre-Newcastle United interview:

"BR on targeting a target man:“I just want good players, players that are hungry. They don’t need to be a big target man. Jamie Vardy does okay, so there are lots of good players.”In addition the boss gave no update on Tielemans’ permanent signing, which the supporters so crave.On Maguire’s state of mind:“He looks very happy.”On possibility of finishing seventh:“While they’re [Leicester City] playing well you claim the points but others will still have an advantage with the games to play.”On transfer rumours concerning Maddison:“He’s very happy here”On Islam Slimani’s loan:“It’s not gone how he would want”"

Hit the LCFC Live link above for the in-depth full stories!

Friday sees the Magpies hosted at the King Power Stadium by Leicester. Rafa Benitez’s relegation candidates will be absolutely focused on obtaining three points in any way possible. Due to the fact that if 18th position Cardiff City win their game in hand, and Newcastle lose on Filbert Way, the Welsh side will only have four points remaining to catch the North East outfit.