Socceroo Harry Souttar in shock Leicester switch as two Premier League giants reveal Australia plans

Socceroos cult hero Harry Souttar is in line for a shock positional switch for Leicester City – as two fellow EPL clubs announce they are heading Down Under for exhibition games in July. 

The in-form Souttar is set to become an unlikely striking weapon for the Foxes as they attempt to stave off relegation from the EPL.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that he’s been experimenting with the big Socceroos’ centre back as an attacker in training to give the struggling Foxes an alternative strategy in their urgent quest for goals.

Souttar has not yet managed to find the scoresheet since his January move to the top flight from Stoke – except for an unfortunate own goal on his debut against Aston Villa – but his aerial prowess has ensured he’s come very close several times.

Rodgers wants to see him hitting the target like he does for the Socceroos, having netted six goals in 14 Australia internationals, and believes Souttar has the footballing ability to morph from no-nonsense stopper into a skilled attacker.

Socceroos cult hero Harry Souttar may be in line for a shock positional switch at his EPL club, Leicester

Souttar stretches out to make a tackle about Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo on March 18, a match in which manager Brendan Rodgers praised him for a starring role

‘We could play him up front. We’ve had him there in training,’ said Rodgers, who is seeking to drag Leicester from their precarious position of 17th, just one point above the relegation zone. 

‘He’s a fantastic footballer, outstanding on the ball. He makes the right passes.’ 

Rodgers is very pleased with his $26million centre back, who put in yet another sterling display in the side’s 1-1 draw with Brentford before he flew out to Australia for the Socceroos’ friendlies against Ecuador.  

‘First and foremost, he’s a defender, but he can play football,’ he said of the 198cm Australian.

‘When you come away to Brentford and play like he did, that was a big performance.

‘Any centre-half needs to be strong and competitive and then I like them to be able to play simple football, and he’s done that. He’s been a great signing for us.’

The breakthrough goal for Leicester can’t be far away for the 24-year-old, who was born and raised in Scotland before switching international allegiances to Australia thanks to his mother. 

The 198cm Souttar heads a ball during a sterling display for Leicester in a 1-1 draw with Brentford on March 18

Souttar heads the ball in defence during the Socceroos incredible win over Denmark at last year’s World Cup

Souttar headed against the bar at Southampton – when, actually, it had looked easier to score.

He also had one cleared off the line against Chelsea, as well as assisting on a goal against Spurs.

Then on Saturday, he enjoyed what Rodgers described as ‘a wee Ricky Villa moment’.

Just like Spurs’ Argentinian Villa, who went on a mazy run before scoring one of the most celebrated of all FA Cup final goals in 1981, Souttar had his own slaloming moment, but without the requisite finish.

Souttar himself believes he should be getting on to the scoreboard more often, after scoring twice in both his first and second matches for the Socceroos.

The news comes as Tottenham and West Ham announced they would be coming to Perth to play exhibition games at Optus Stadium in Perth just prior to the Women’s World Cup getting underway in July. 

West Ham will take on A-League club Perth Glory on Saturday July 15, before the Hammers take on fierce London rivals Spurs on Tuesday July 18.

Harry Kane and his Spurs teammates are heading Down Under in a huge boon for Aussie football fans

Tottenham (pictured left is superstar Son Heung-min) and West Ham (pictured right is Vladimir Coufal) will be playing each other in an exhibition game in Perth in July

Aston Villa played an exhibition game at Optus Stadium in July last year

It’s the only chance for Aussie fans to see EPL sides in action in winter, but the prospect of seeing superstars like Harry Kane, Richarlison and Son Heung-min for Spurs and Declan Rice for the Hammers is a salivating prospect.

West Australia’s sport and recreation minister said the two exhibition games, and the five Women’s World Cup games, was not just a big financial coup, but huge for the state of the game out west.

‘Hosting such prestigious football events is great for the grassroots game – kids will be inspired and spurred on to give the game a go themselves,’ he told the West Australian.

‘I am so pleased that Western Australia is supporting these matches in addition to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and look forward to watching them play with thousands of fans.’