Brendan Rodgers forced to omit Wilfred Ndidi from crunch clash with Chelsea

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has been forced to leave out Wilfred Ndidi for the Chelsea game after the star midfielder struggles to overcome a knee problem.

The 23-year-old has been a key player in the Foxes remarkable season, as they sit in third place ahead of Saturday’s game against fourth-placed Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. 

However, the Nigeria international has reacted badly to a long term knee injury and boss Rodgers has thought not to risk his player obtaining further damage in the crunch clash.

Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi isn’t playing against Chelsea due to a problem with his knee

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed Ndidi is struggling following a knee operation

Ndidi had been warming up with his Leicester team-mates leading up to kick off but Rodgers brought the midfielder back in as a precaution. 

‘He’s obviously felt a pain in his knee,’ Rodgers told BT Sport before the game. ‘He recently had an operation and didn’t feel any reaction to it so we had him into play but it’s become very very sore. 

Young English midfielder Hamza Choudhury has slotted in to replace the Nigerian midfielder

‘Rather than him going out in the warm up and knowing the pain he’s in we thought to leave it, and do no further damage. 

‘Hopefully that decreases the risk to him and hopefully he’ll be back ready for the Wolves game (on February 14). It’s unfortunate for us because he’s been absolutely fantastic for us.’

Young English midfielder Hamza Choudhury slots into Ndidi’s place as Jamie Vardy returned to lead the line for the Foxes in the lunchtime kick off.