Leicester star should be signing new contract imminently

With only around eight months left on his deal, it is a huge relief that Leicester City veteran defender Jonny Evans should be about to sign a new contract.

Brendan Rodgers provided a surprising answer to an intriguing question at his pre-Europa League press conference. Before Zorya Luhansk meet the Foxes on Thursday evening, the Northern Irishman was asked why Croatian centre-back Filip Benkovic has been sent out on loan again. This time he’s at Cardiff City, which is odd when there is an injury crisis on Filbert Way.

Rodgers replied – in a fresh and candid manner which Foxes of Leicester loved – that Benkovic “isn’t ready” for Premier League action. While that will be difficult for the defender to hear, it is refreshing to have insight into a scenario that was mildly confusing.

Nevertheless, with Caglar Soyuncu possibly out until as long as January – the Turk may require surgery – new arrival Wesley Fofana acclimatising to his new club and Wes Morgan unsatisfactory, Jonny Evans’ presence is undeniably calming.

Jonny Evans in line for new Leicester City deal

The Northern Ireland international’s current contract expires at the end of the 2020/21 season, and Leicester are said to want to tie him down to another deal.

Thankfully the centre-half has confirmed that he desires an extension, but also stated that formal negotiations have not begun.

Premier League news today is dominated by two topics at present. Firstly this talk of a breakaway European division, which is rather unsettling for fans of clubs the size of the King Power outfit. Then there is the discussion of when supporters can reenter stadia for elite sport: a plan for an October return has been dismissed by officials; but there is no timeframe to decide as of yet.