Harvey Barnes could return from injury to help Leicester City lift the FA Cup for the first time

Harvey Barnes is targeting a return to action for Leicester’s season finale even though he faces a race against time to make the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton.

The winger, one of the Premier League’s most impressive performers this season, sustained a knee injury in the 3-1 home defeat by Arsenal on February 28 that required surgery, following damage to the patella tendon.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed after that game that Barnes was expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks and it is believed the 23-year-old has not yet resumed outdoor training and is still building his strength with pool and gym exercises.

Harvey Barnes (above) is targeting a return to action for Leicester City’s season finale

The winger sustained a knee injury in the 3-1 home defeat by Arsenal in February

Leicester meet Saints at Wembley on April 17 or 18, which may come too soon for Barnes. 

The Foxes are hopeful, however, that he will be available again towards the end of April or at the start of May, which would give Barnes the chance to help his side push for a top-four finish – and possibly lift the FA Cup for the first time in their history. 

He remains on the radar of England boss Gareth Southgate and would likely have been selected for their opening World Cup qualifiers – against San Marino on Thursday, Albania on Sunday and Poland on Wednesday.

Barnes had scored 13 goals and registered four assists from wide attacking roles and was proving himself to be one of the most efficient English wingers before his injury. He won his first England cap as a substitute in the friendly victory over Wales last October.

Brendan Rodgers is hopeful he will return to action at the end of April or the start of May