Brendan Rodgers said Leicester City are looking into signing players in the January transfer window ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Newcastle United.
Rodgers was questioned on the fitness of his key players amidst an injury crisis, as well as an update on the progress of incomings and outgoings in the January transfer window, with Leicester looking to strengthen an injury-ravaged squad.
The Foxes are looking to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the second time in Rodgers’ tenure, but they will have to overcome a high-flying Newcastle looking for their first major trophy since 1955.
On the fitness of the squad
Leicester have been smothered with injuries since the restart after the World Cup, with James Maddison yet to make an appearance since returning from Qatar.
The Foxes look especially light in midfield with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Boubakary Soumare, James Maddison, and Dennis Praet all ruled out.
Rodgers confirmed he would have the same squad of players as the one that beat Gillingham 0-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday.
"It’ll be the same squad as the weekend, there is no timeline (on Maddison). It’s day-to-day. He is working with the medical team and clearly, we would want him back as soon as possible, like so many other players.
“We have got some starting players out for us. James, along with those other players, we hope will be back, but I’ve got no timescale on it.
"Dewsbury-Hall is due out onto the training pitch on Friday. We’ll see and assess from there how that goes. Soumaré will be a wee bit longer.
"I think four to six weeks from when it happened was the diagnosis. Praet has been in quite a bit of pain around his rib and down into his hip. We’re assessing that. He’s been out onto the pitch but with no contact.
"It’s a delicate one for him so we’re seeing day by day how it eases off, but he’s still not ready for contact yet."
On the January Transfer Window
Leicester City did very little business in the summer with only Wout Faes and Alex Smithies coming through the door, but Rodgers is hoping to have more funds available this January to help boost his squad and ensure The Foxes stay in the Premier League.
“The club are working hard behind the scenes. Hopefully we can tell you. There’s definitely a lot of work going on.”
“It would just be a challenge [if deals do not get done]. In the last two windows, we’ve signed one outfield player. If you go through a third one, it makes it a challenge.
“They’ve said there will be some funds. If we can use that and get players back, it could be a good season for us. Until then, I have to work with the players we have.”
Analysing the opposition
Newcastle enjoyed a brilliant 2022, with the club thriving under new ownership, securing top signings, avoiding relegation, and now pushing for European football.
Eddie Howe has awoken a sleeping giant and will be keen to mark that with Newcastle’s first bit of silverware for 68 years.
“There’s no doubt it came as a surprise to us [the boxing day game]. You can’t start like that. You can’t make those mistakes against a really good side.
“We have to stay strong in the first 20 minutes. We have to play with an attacking mentality. You can’t make mistakes and not expect to get punished.”
“Eddie has done well with the players. The investment and recruitment has been very good, which has given them a strong base to work from.
“The confidence and the support is there. How fanatical the supporters are and how they back their team. When you combine that with a good team, it makes them really strong.
“It feels like an occasion when you go to St James’ Park. They’re consistently playing well, so I’m sure it’s hard to get a ticket. They’d be disappointed from the weekend. But they will want to make a semi-final.
“It’s the type of atmosphere you play for. You just have to stay calm. You are playing with emotion and you have to defend strong and maximum concentration. If you start well, it can lead to tension in the ground. It should be a great game.”
Leicester take on Newcastle on Tuesday, January 10th at 8PM, live on Sky Sports Main Event.