Brendan Rodgers insists he can repay Leicester’s faith by ‘seeing us through’ to survival

Brendan Rodgers aims to repay Leicester’s faith in him by keeping the club in the Premier League this season.

The Foxes face Southampton on Saturday, who have had three managers this term. Of the bottom seven clubs, only Leicester and West Ham have resisted the temptation to change. 

There have been tough times for Leicester but so far at least, the faith of chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has not wavered.

Rodgers said: ‘I’m thankful and grateful my work previously has been recognised and we can work closely together even when it’s not good.

‘That’s when you see your boards and the people who support you, when it’s not going so well. I’m grateful the club have trusted my work and expect me to see us through. Hopefully my experience has counted for something as well.

Brendan Rodgers hop he can repay Leicester’s faith by guiding the Foxes to Premier League safety

‘In the modern game you see a lot of changes, it happens all the time for various reasons, but you just have to continue with your work.

‘We have shown when we work well it’s fantastic, when it’s not going so well you stay together and show solidarity and look to come through that.’

This has been easily the most difficult campaign Rodgers has experienced during his four years at the helm.

In his first two full campaigns Leicester missed out on a top-four finish on the final day of the season, and won the FA Cup for the first time in their history two years ago.

Last term they finished eighth after a late-season flurry in which they reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, but it has been a hard slog since August and now Leicester are only three points above the relegation zone.

The shock defeat by Blackburn in the FA Cup last week killed the club’s hopes of returning to Europe and now survival is their only goal. 

James Maddison (L) is the most likely occupant of the captain’s armband on Saturday

Maddison has starred for his side this season with nine goals and five assists despite a knee condition

Rodgers hopes to have James Maddison available again as Leicester’s best attacking player continues to manage a knee condition. 

He was captain in each of his last two games and would expect to regain the armband, with Jonny Evans and Youri Tielemans injured.

Rodgers added: ‘Whether James has the armband or not, he acts like a leader on the pitch. He’s one of the few voices in our changing room.

‘He’s the guy who can call the game, see the game, is very honest and reflective on it but also looks to inspire. He doesn’t sit there and say nothing. He’s normally very open and very productive with what he says.’