Rodgers: Southampton Game Too Soon For Tielemans

- The Foxes travel to meet Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday (7:30pm GMT kick-off)
- Youri Tielemans (calf) is not in contention to return to Leicester City’s squad in midweek, says Brendan Rodgers
- The manager also praised Jamie Vardy after the forward returned to the starting XI against Watford, scoring twice

The Belgium midfielder has not featured for the Foxes since starting the draw with Leeds United at Elland Road on 7 November and did not meet up with his international team-mates for the latest FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

But while the Premier League trip to face the Saints at St Mary’s Stadium in midweek will arrive too quickly for City’s No.8, it may not be long before Tielemans is re-introduced. He has missed the last three games across all competitions this month, including Sunday's triumph at home to Watford.

“The squad will pretty much be similar to yesterday,” Rodgers revealed to the media in Monday afternoon’s virtual pre-match press conference. “Youri, we’ll see where he is at at the back end of the week.

“But he’s progressing really well. I’ve seen him back out on the pitch with the rehabilitation team today, so he looked very strong. We’ll just assess that as the week goes through, but it’s probably going to be more towards the end of the week.”

Jamie Vardy, meanwhile, scored twice against Watford on Sunday after being rested for the UEFA Europa League success over Legia Warsaw three days earlier and the manager believes City’s No.9 is consistently reaping the rewards of his commitment to being in the best shape he can week after week.

“It’s all him,” Rodgers said on the 34-year-old. “He clearly has the talent; he has the will. All we’ve tried to do is just manage him to maximise what we can get out of him. His running, his intensity, that’s when he’s at his best and when the team is at its best.

“He is looking after himself and he has everything here to help in his recovery and recuperation after games. He is a brilliant professional and is trying to ensure that his career goes on as long as it can.

“It’s about looking after your body, making sure you’re prepared right. Players with that pace, sometimes it will disappear with age, but certainly at the moment, you see the cleverness in his runs. His sharpness and finishing will always be there. We’re very lucky to have him and hopefully that continues for a long time yet.”