James Maddison injury update provided by Brendan Rodgers on eve of World Cup | Football | Sport
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers provided an injury update on James Maddison after the England man was substituted off in their 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday. Just days after he was named in the Three Lions World Cup squad by Gareth Southgate, Maddison went down and was forced off after scoring in the eighth minute in their 2-0 win over the Hammers.
Maddison went down holding his knee as he received treatment at the London Stadium, before he was taken off by Rodgers midway though the first half. The playmaker has only made one previous England cap, but his form over the past year forced Southgate into naming him in the squad to go to Qatar.
He went over and applauded the travelling fans after the game, and spoke with team-mates and West Ham players on the pitch after the full-time whistle before Rodgers gave an update. “He is fine. he had an irritation on the other side of his knee. So there was no muscle injury. He hasn’t trained so much from the Everton game, just a couple of lighter days. He wanted to try it, but he’ll be ok, it was just a precaution. It’s such a difficult day for players going to the World Cup and we’ve tried to protect him,” Rodgers said.
Maddison walked off the pitch unaided in the first half as he was speaking with international colleague Declan Rice, who himself had an injury scare in the first half as he went down with a knock, before recovering and continuing the game.
Southgate is permitted to make changes to his 26-man England squad up until 6pm on Monday evening, but will be hoping that the Leicester star is fit to play, having been one of the most in-form players in the Three Lions contingent this campaign.
Rodgers previously admitted that Maddison missed the initial call that confirmed that he would be in the England squad. “He was delighted,” Rodgers said on Thursday. “He had a missed call from Gareth just before we were ready to go out training and I told him to pop into my office and take the call privately. He obviously spoke to Gareth and he came out full of the joy of the world.”
“It is wonderful news for James and his family and everyone here at Leicester. I am also delighted for Gareth as well from a coaching perspective to have that talent available in what is such a great tournament. His level of consistency and the work ethic and the talent and what he has proven over the last few years has swung that decision. He is a fantastic player and one of the best players in the Premier League. I am really delighted for him and also his team-mates because without them he wouldn’t have been able to play at the level he has.”
