Ndidi faces injury long spell

Wilfred Ndidi could be out for a few weeks with the injury he suffered in Leicester City’s clash at Rennes.

The defensive midfielder won a full-blooded 50-50 inside his own box in the second half of the Europa Conference League last-16 second leg and hobbled off afterwards to be replaced by James Maddison.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said at full-time that he could have a medial ligament problem in his knee, and now, speaking ahead of City’s clash with Brentford on Sunday, has said the Nigerian could be out for a few weeks.

It comes as part of a bumper injury update from the manager, with 10 players mentioned in total.

There is positive news that Caglar Soyuncu will be back, having missed out in Rennes with an illness that has swept through the camp.

Ricardo Pereira and Ademola Lookman were able to play despite feeling the effects of it, and will be in contention again, but Patson Daka remains out.

There are question marks too over Marc Albrighton, who suffered a groin injury in the build-up to Rennes’ opener inside the first 10 minutes, but Timothy Castagne, who returned to training earlier this week, should be back in the squad, while Jonny Evans is also close to being in contention.

Asked for an update on the fitness of his squad, Rodgers said: “Caglar Soyuncu should be back. Him and Patson Daka didn’t feel well at all so couldn’t travel. Cags is much better. Patson is a question mark, I don’t think he will be available for the weekend.

“Jonny Evans is close to being a part of the squad, which is great for us. He’s worked really hard. Timothy Castagne should be back into it.

“Ricardo Pereira and Ademola Lookman put themselves out there last night even though they weren’t 100 per cent and weren’t feeling well. They came into the game and gave their all for the team, so they should still be available.

“Wilfred Ndidi, we just have to assess. He picked up an injury that might keep him out for a few weeks, which is a shame. And Marc Albrighton had to come off.

“Just as it looks like we’re getting players back… We’ve got a really good squad when they’re all available. It looks like we’ll get some back, but one or two might be out. We’ll have to see once the scans turn up later.”

Jamie Vardy won’t be able to feature following a knee injury he sustained in the win over Leeds, but he is nearly back in training, and may be able to play when City travel to Manchester United after the international break.

Rodgers said: “Hopefully Jamie should be back training with us within the next week or so, which is great news, and he might be not be too far away after the international break.”

Wesley Fofana, previously City’s longest absentee, is now back and marked his return with his first-ever goal for the club.

However, after seven months, he may not be able to play so quickly again.

Rodgers said: “With the injury he’s had and with the recovery time between the games, we’ll just gauge it over the next day or so. But it’s great to have him back on the field. You see his impact, you see his mentality, that competitive edge. I’m delighted to have him back, I just need to assess him on a daily basis.”

Beyond those mentioned by Rodgers, Danny Ward could be out until close to the end of the season after knee surgery, while Ryan Bertrand won’t be seen until next term with his own knee problem.

Meanwhile, Boubakary Soumare had an injury that kept him out of the Rennes fixture.