Leicester second Premier League team facing Covid-19 crisis with SEVEN players missing Napoli clash
LEICESTER CITY are facing a Covid crisis as their stuttering season took another blow - 24 hours before their crunch clash at Napoli.
The Foxes have a tricky away clash knowing they need to win in Italy tomorrow to guarantee top spot in Group C of the Europa League, while a draw would secure their passage into the knockout stages.
But speaking in his pre-match press conference, manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed there had been a small outbreak of cases within the camp.
In total, the club have been forced to leave seven players and three staff members at home in the East Midlands through positive coronavirus test results or illness.
Rodgers said: "There are some players and staff who are not here. We have had some positive cases and some people who are not well."
Pressed on who was missing, the Leicester boss added: “That’s something that you will see in time. It’s been the last few days really.
"You’re starting to see a few more cases.
"It’s about the health of our players and we have to respect the travel, coming into Italy. We still have a strong squad here. It’s just not a fully-fit squad.
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“It’s not going to destabilise us in that way [players playing out of position].
"We tested before we boarded the flight and before we left the hotel. We've taken every measure to be as safe as possible. We have taken every measure.
"Even the players who are unwell, we couldn't take any risk with those, as well as the guys who have Covid."
The reported the seven left at home are Ademola Lookman, Daniel Amartey, Kelechi Iheanacho, Jannik Vestergaard, Ayoze Perez, Filip Benkovic and Vontae Daley-Campbell.
As stated, it is unclear which of those are ill and which have contracted Covid.
It comes after Tottenham suffered their own problems with eight players and five staff forced to self-isolate after positive results.
But as long as Spurs do have one goalkeeper available and at least 13 players fit they will have to fulfil their Conference League fixture against Rennes tomorrow, according to Uefa rules.
The Premier League does not have such a rule, and Spurs will reportedly request their match against Brighton is postponed.
Rodgers, whose side are due to play fellow Covid-hit side Tottenham next Thursday, would not say if Leicester will try and get Sunday's game at home to Newcastle postponed.
He replied: "To be honest I'm really only looking as far as the next fixture. That's the focus really and it's certainly the focus with the players who are here.
European football is something special and we want more of it in stadiums like this
Kasper Schmeichel
"The Napoli game is obviously a big one for us and we just have to see what develops over the coming days."
There was one silver lining to the many dark clouds which have gathered over Rodgers squad in a stormy, rain-lashed Naples, with two of Leicester's injured players set to return - including classy midfielder Youri Tielemans who has missed the last five games with a calf problem.
Rodgers said: "Youri has travelled and he's trained very well and is back in now so he is available, as is Ryan Betrand who had been out for a week or so."
If Leicester win Rodgers will qualify for the last 16 of Europe for the first time in his career.
However, a defeat could see the Foxes topple into the Europa Conference League in third place.
Rodgers prefered to remain upbeat and said: "We're very comfortable knowing that our fate is in our own hands. That is important.
"We know if we win we top the group and as long as we don't lose we qualify from there.
"They're an excellent team who have done really well in their domestic league but it's a challenge we really want to embrace and look forward to."
Skipper Kasper Schmeichel said: ";European football is something special and we want more of it in stadiums like this.
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“We would have liked to have wrapped this group up earlier but it’s all in our hands going into the last game. The only thing I can guarantee is that it will be difficult."
Leicester likely: (4-2-3-1) Schmeichel; Castagne, Evans, Soyuncu, Thomas; Tielemans, Ndidi; Albrighton, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy.
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