Rodgers: Barnes Likely To Miss Rest Of 2020/21
- Leicester City face Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium on Friday (8pm BST kick-off)
- Manager Brendan Rodgers confirms his City squad have no new injuries for the Saints clash
- Harvey Barnes, though, is likely to miss to rest of the 2020/21 season after a second knee operation
- Rodgers says the Club will support the England international in his recovery over the coming weeks
The Foxes head to St. Mary's Stadium on Friday looking to make it three wins in a row in the Premier League and they currently sit third in the top-flight standings with five games to play.
While nobody else has joined Leicester's injury list following Monday's win over Crystal Palace, Rodgers confirmed on Wednesday that Barnes is now likely to miss the remainder of the 2020/21 season after undergoing a second, minor operation on his knee.
"There’s nothing new, other than the same squad being available," the Northern Irishman told the media at LCFC Training Ground. "We’ve had a slight setback with Harvey. He’s just gone in to have a second, minor operation, just to clear up some of the damage in his knee.
"It will probably rule him out for the rest of the season, but the plan is really to get him through this second little operation and then he’ll be back for pre-season and fit and ready for next season."
Barnes scored 13 goals in all competitions before his injury and Rodgers admits it's a loss for the Foxes, but the 48-year-old says all focus is now on ensuring the Academy graduate returns in good shape over the summer.
"It’s a shame because he’s been absolutely outstanding for us this season," he added. "Of course, we hoped he’d be back to play some part, but it’s not to be. The most important thing is getting his knee right and getting him ready for next season."
Club captain Wes Morgan, on the other hand, is being monitored following a back issue, but City's No.5 continues to train with his team-mates.
"He’s touch and go whether he’ll be involved this season," Rodgers explained. "He’s obviously had an amazing career. He’s struggling a little with his back at the moment, but he’s working very hard behind the scenes with the medical team and the sports science team in his rehabilitation.
"We just have to monitor that on a day-by-day basis. Thankfully, he’s out on the pitch, getting work in, multi-dimensional work, but it’s a day-by-day assessment."