Ndidi Set To Miss Man City Showdown, Says Rodgers

Wilfred Ndidi is set to miss the Premier League clash between Leicester City and Manchester City at King Power Stadium on Saturday, according to Brendan Rodgers.

The Nigeria midfielder has been absent for City’s last two top-flight fixtures, draws with Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, due to a knee issue.

While the Foxes have no fresh injury concerns for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s men, Rodgers confirmed on Thursday that Ndidi is not yet ready to return to first team action.

“Wilf won’t be available for the weekend,” the Northern Irishman said. “He’s still in a process to try and get fit so we’ll see how he is next week. I’m not sure.

“He’s doing work inside, but you then have to progress that to outside and then when he can join the team. It’s another intensity to join the team and then to play.

Wilf has obviously played more, but all three (including Mendy and Choudhury) give you that defensive solidity which is important for any team. They’re not available so we can’t worry about that.

“We just want to make sure he’s right because he’s such an important player for us. It’s about the long term too. There’s no timeline on it. We’ll see how he progresses.”

Following Choudhury’s dismissal at Wolves, for second bookable offence, and Mendy’s knee injury, Rodgers also discussed the central midfield area for Saturday’s fixture.

“They’re three excellent players and obviously we have to find a strategy and a plan to come up with a game that can see us try and get three points,” he added.

“Wilf has obviously played more, but all three give you that defensive solidity which is important for any team. They’re not available so we can’t worry about that.”

read also; Video: Wilfred Ndidi fighting to be fit for Man City clash

One consideration for Rodgers, meanwhile, is midfielder Matty James, who has been working to recover from an Achilles injury throughout the 2019/20 campaign.